New drug may slow aortic valve stenosis disease progression

Ataciguat, a drug investigated for use in peripheral arterial disease and neuropathic pain, has been repurposed with the help of a partnership between the Mayo Clinic and the Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development (ITDD). This new drug could significantly slow the progression of aortic valve stenosis (AVS), a cardiovascular disease affecting millions of people around the world and may delay or even prevent the need for valve replacement surgery. In foundational and exploratory studies originally funded by the Minnesota Partnership for Biotechnology and Medical Genomics in 2015, the ITDD provided expertise for critical biochemical assays and novel compound synthesis now being used on this project. 

“It's an important demonstration of drug repurposing,” said Dr. Michael A. Walters, ITDD senior research fellow and research associate professor in the medicinal chemistry department. “The ITDD was specifically set up to enable collaborations like this. It was just a great merging of two sets of expertise… this is a success story for the Minnesota Partnership and for patients.”

Read Mayo’s full press release to learn more.