Available Technologies

Here are the technologies, developed at Brock University, available for licensing.

Tocopherol derivatives and uses thereof

Vit E is comprised of eight different compounds found in nature; four tocopherols and four tocotrienols. The potentially beneficial biological activities of Vit E components include anti-inflammatory properties, inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis, anti-cancer effects and protection against neurodegeneration. Brock inventors have discovered unique chemical compounds that can inhibit the rapid oxidative metabolism of these Vit E compounds and thereby elevate the circulating levels in the body. Full description

New process for efficient production of Tamiflu

In response to the potential bird flu human influenza pandemic, Hoffman-La Roche developed Oseltamivir (Tamiflu®). The current technology utilizes readily available precursors and processes of Oseltamivir and Oseltamivir Phosphase. An additional benefit of this technology is its ability to produce Tamiflu® in five operations; while current sequences range from eight to 21 steps. Full description

Synthesis and activity of novel C-1 analogs of pancratistatin and 7-deoxypancratistatin

Pancratistatin is known to be highly active against cancer cell lines as an apoptosis stimulator; it is capable of inducing apoptosis (programmed cell death) in cancer cells while having no effect on normal cells. The present technology describes two novel analogs that are able to selectively induce apoptosis in human cancer cell lines: including leukemia, neuroblastoma and melanoma cells. Full description

Method for reducing methoxypyrazines from grape products

Methoxypyrazines (MPs) elicit vegetative percepts that can be extremely detrimental to wine quality. Currently, no remediation tool is available to winemakers to decrease MPs due to their ultra trace concentration. This research invention tested two proteins and demonstrates their ability to selectively bind to MPs at pH3. Full description

Enzyme-mediated cross-linking of silicone polymers

Silicon is the second most abundant element in the Earth’s crust. As a result, the field of silicon chemistry rivals that of organic chemistry in its complexity and breadth. Of particular interest to this research group is the interface of silicon chemistry and biological chemistry (enzymology). This technology is a unique way to use enzymes to produce reactive monomers with desirable traits. Full description

Method for preparing ortho-substituted aminoferrocenes

An interest in chiral aminoferrocenes led Costa Metallinos to question and study the limitations of previously published procedures. The research team has now developed the first truly new method of preparing 1,2-substituted chiral ferrocenes in the past 10 years. Full description