Seeking Novel Approaches to Promote Immune Reset in Inflammatory Disease/Autoimmune Conditions by Targeting Neuro-Immune Crosstalk

A top five pharmaceutical company is seeking innovative solutions targeting neuro-immune crosstalk to promote healing in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. The company is particularly interested in approaches that can complement or improve upon existing anti-inflammatory treatments, focusing on returning tissues to homeostasis.

 Approaches of interest:

• Novel therapeutic strategies for conditions like Rheumatoid Arthritis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.
• Targeting neural pathways to enhance wound healing and resolve inflammation.
• Exploration of neuropeptides, neurotransmitters, and enteric nervous system interactions.
  Therapeutic discovery platforms specific to neuro-immune pathways.

 Out of scope: 

• Therapies that cause broad immune suppression.
• Microbiome-targeted approaches and gene or cell therapies.
• Device-mediated drug delivery approaches and drug repurposing.

Developmental stage of interest: 

• Preferred approaches should have pre-clinical validation, particularly involving human cell systems and in vivo model data.

Please note: Faculty and researchers interested in applying for these opportunities based on technologies developed or disclosed at Vanderbilt must submit their proposals through the CTTC.