INDIANAPOLIS – New technology discovered and developed by a researcher at St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers could lead to improved standards for the diagnosis of autoimmune diseases as well as new biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease, and future risk assessments for cancer and diabetes. That is the goal of the recently established company, Redox-Reactive Reagents (3R), whose aim is to revolutionize the diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune diseases. The company is a partnership between the Hospital and Dr. John McIntyre, director of the HLA-Vascular Biology Laboratory at St. Francis.
McIntyre, an internationally recognized immunology research expert, recently received a patent for the technology used to produce redox-reactive autoantibodies from normally occurring antibodies. Autoantibodies are types of antibodies that attack parts of the body and tissues, and which can lead to a variety of autoimmune diseases.
“No one else in the world previously had been aware of these antibodies’ existence,” McIntyre said. “This is a very fundamental-level discovery with potentially vast implications for our understanding of the previously unknown functions associated with the immune system.”
3R is working in collaboration with several companies to produce positive controls and calibrators and other specialty products for diagnostic kit manufacturers.
“3R’s line of products will make it easier for manufacturers to reliably supply test kits with positive controls and calibrators for the autoimmune disease-testing market,” said Robert J. Brody, president and CEO of St. Francis Hospital. “The 3R partnership represents a significant move for St. Francis in becoming a key player in the life sciences industry.”
Current 3R research includes the development of biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease, and establishing screening profiles for identifying at-risk individuals in cancer and type 1 diabetes. McIntyre said ongoing collaborations may enable the company to unveil a first commercial product in 2008.
“Imagine the ability to identify Alzheimer’s in its early stages, effectively monitor the efficacy of treatments, then plot the progress of the disease allowing a patient and physician to seek optimal treatments,” said McIntyre, who holds an adjunct professorship in the Department of Biology at Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis.
Further down the road, the company will explore the potential for creating therapies for autoimmune diseases. Research also could lead to uses such as immune supplementation of infant formula. Research has shown already that veterinary applications of this technology mirrors that ascribed to human use.
Science advisor to 3R is Dawn R. Wagenknecht. M.S., who also manages the HLA-Vascular Biology Lab. More information about the lab is at http://www.stfrancishospitals.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=62.
3R received seed funding from the Sisters of St. Francis Health Services, Inc. of Mishawaka, Ind. St. Francis Hospital is part of a network of 13 growing hospital campuses in Indiana and Illinois owned and operated by SSFHS, one of the largest health-care systems in Indiana.
