A new preclinical model for efficacy tests of drugs to treat kidney fibrosis
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | INFICURE BIO AKTIEBOLAG - InfiCure Bio AB |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 2 000 000 |
| Project duration | April 2019 - December 2020 |
| Status | Completed |
Important results from the project
The aim of the project is to establish the NIF mouse as a model for studies of kidney fibrosis. Some of our customers on the liver fibrosis side are also interested in kidney fibrosis and have asked for new models for studies of kidney fibrosis. Once we succeed in verifying the NIF mouse as a model for kidney fibrosis we will be able to fulfill their request. Our goal is to be able to offer our customers to study the effects of their new drugs on both liver and kidney fibrosis in the same mouse, which is unique and generates new levels of information and reduces the number of experimental animals used.
Expected long term effects
This project is based on a combination of a known need for new kidney fibrosis models together with the spontaneous fibrosis development in the NIF mouse. During our validation of liver fibrosis we discovered that the same mouse also spontaneously develops kidney fibrosis, which opens up for a new and increased market. Once the kidney fibrosis is validated, we will offer tests of anti-fibrotic drugs in both liver and kidney of the same mouse and thus increase the information our customers receive while increasing the company´s turnover and reducing the number of experimental animals used
Approach and implementation
First, we will study NIF mice at different ages to establish the kinetics at which the kidney fibrosis develops as well as learn which biological signaling pathways are involved. Then, when the kinetics is established, we will treat NIF mice with known anti-fibrotic substances to validate that the kidney fibrosis is treatable. We will start treatment at two different ages, which will correspond to different stages of the kidney disease. Which ages to start the treatment will be decided once the kinetics is established. Data will be communicated to customers all through the project.