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Human Brown Adipocyte Transplantation and In Vivo Metabolic Characterization

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Army
Contract: W81XWH-11-C-0517
Agency Tracking Number: A2-5081
Amount: $749,692.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: STTR
Solicitation Topic Code: A11a-T034
Solicitation Number: 2011.A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2011
Award Year: 2012
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2012-09-15
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
770 Boylston Street #26G
Boston, MA -
United States
DUNS: 831412205
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Olivier Boss
 Chief Scientific Officer
 (617) 959-2322
 oboss@energesispharma.com
Business Contact
 Brian Freeman
Title: Chief Operating Officer
Phone: (617) 947-9773
Email: bfreeman@energesispharma.com
Research Institution
 Boston University
 Stephen R Farmer
 
Silvio Conte Building, K602 72 E. Concord Street
Boston, MA 02118-
United States

 (617) 638-4186
 Nonprofit College or University
Abstract

Obesity and its associated metabolic complications including diabetes are becoming increasingly prevalent in the general population as well as in military personnel. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is a major site of energy expenditure through thermogenesis, which is mediated by the mitochondrial uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1). Studies in animals over the last 30 years as well as recent data in humans strongly suggest that overweight and obese individuals have a low amount of BAT, and that increasing BAT by about 50 grams in obese patients would induce strong weight loss and improve metabolic status (including glucose metabolism, lipid profiles, and cardiovascular risk). The proposed studies aim to develop a prototype system for the transplantation of autologous brown adipocytes. We intend to demonstrate that a readily generated population of human brown adipocytes can be transplanted into an animal model of human obesity and insulin resistance, and that these cells can survive and produce significant improvements in glycemic control and body composition (e.g., body weight, fat mass).

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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