Joslin Diabetes Center, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, is the world's largest institution devoted exclusively to diabetes and its complications. This document includes descriptions of select inventions available for licensing from Joslin, along with links to more detailed descriptions and a listing of Joslin's entire invention portfolio.

1. Inventions Available for Licensing
Diabetes, Metabolic Disorders, Obesity, Diabetic Complications
January 2009 www.joslinresearch.org/inventions
Joslin Diabetes Center is the world's largest institution dedicated exclusively
to diabetes. An affiliate of Harvard Medical School, Joslin has been
internationally recognized for 110 years for its leadership in diabetes
research, patient care and training. Today, Joslin’s research staff includes
11 laboratory sections dedicated to research in basic and clinical studies
matching the range of diabetes causes and complications. Joslin's research
staff and the clinical staff of its multi-specialty medical practice, the Joslin
Clinic, together include internationally recognized scientists from multiple
disciplines, providing an unparalleled range of research, treatment and
education for people with diabetes. More information on Joslin’s research
activities can be found at www.joslinresearch.org.
The following is a selection of Joslin inventions available for licensing. The
list of Joslin’s complete portfolio of approximately 40 technologies, along
with expanded descriptions, can be found at our website, at
www.joslinresearch.org/inventions.
Therapeutics for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolic Disorders
Methods and Compositions for Inducing Brown Adipogenesis, C. Ronald Kahn, M.D., Yu-
Hua Tseng, Ph.D. (JDP-100, JDP-101, JDP-128). Brown adipose tissue (BAT) cells more
efficiently expend energy than the more prevalent white adipose (WAT) cells, and it is therefore
believed that altering the balance between BAT and WAT cells could modulate a person’s
weight. This portfolio of inventions features the use of bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs),
either in vivo or ex vivo, to trigger the differentiation of adipocytes or pluripotent mesenchymal
stem cells towards the brown fat lineage, as a strategy to combat obesity.
Methods for Treating or Preventing Diabetes and Obesity using Salicylates, Steven
Shoelson, M.D., Ph.D., Allison Goldfine, M.D. (JDP-106, JDP-109). Inflammation plays a key
role in the pathogenesis of diabetes and insulin resistance. The invention features the use of the
salicylate family of compounds to treat metabolic disorders, based on the ability of these
compounds to inhibit inflammation by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway. The inventors have
developed a body of clinical and preclinical data showing that administration of high doses of
non-acetylated forms of salicylate is useful for preventing or retarding development of type 2
diabetes in obese subjects, and for preventing or retarding the development or progression of
cardiovascular diseases, e.g., atheroma formation.
Methods of Modulating Beta-Cell Function, Rohit Kulkarni, M.D., Ph.D., et al. (JDP-075). It
has been found that overexpression of melanocyte concentrating hormone (MCH) results in
increased plasma insulin concentration and increased pancreatic islet size. The invention
comprises the use of MCH or fragments or analogs thereof, either in vivo or ex vivo, to promote
β-cell growth either in Type 1 or Type 2 diabetic patients. (U.S. Patent Nos. 7,101,845 and
7,256,176).

2. Joslin Diabetes Center
Inventions Available for Licensing -2- January 2009
Therapeutics for Diabetic Complications
Diagnosing and Treating Diabetic Retinopathy and Other Eye Diseases. Edward Feener,
Ph.D., and Lloyd P. Aiello, M.D., Ph.D. (JDP-097, JDP-117, JDP-118). Functional proteomics
was used to identify factors contributing to the excessive increase in retinal vascular
permeability observed in diabetic retinopathy. By comparing the vitreous protein composition of
nondiabetic subjects and diabetic patients with or without active retinopathy, a number of
proteins in a well-known pathway were identified whose levels are elevated in retinopathy, which
might therefore be targets for drug development. One such protein is carbonic anhydrase-I
(CA-I), which is being actively investigated as a target for drug development.
Drug Targets for Therapeutics of Diabetes
ARNT and ARNT2 – Novel Targets for Treatment of Diabetes. C. Ronald Kahn, M.D. and
Jenny Gunton, Ph.D. (JDP-094, JDP-107). The transcription factor aryl hydrocarbon nuclear
receptor translocator (ARNT) was found to be down-regulated in the diabetic individuals. The
inventors then discovered that the homologous but separately-expressed ARNT2 has the
opposite effect on glucose metabolism. These transcription factors are novel targets for drug
development and therapeutic intervention against both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
Stem Cells and Islet Cell Transplantation Methods
Insulin Related Transcription Factor, Arun Sharma, Ph.D. (JDP-072). The invention is based
on the identification of MafA as a glucose-regulated transcription factor which is known to
control insulin expression in late stages of β-cell differentiation. The factor will be useful in
differentiation protocols beginning with stem cells for the regeneration of functional β-cells.
Methods of Making Pancreatic Islet Cells, Susan Bonner-Weir, Ph.D., et al. (JDP-044).
This invention features a novel protocol in which mature pancreatic duct cells are induced to
de-differentiate, and then to give rise to functioning islet cells. The invention overcomes many
of the shortcomings of existing strategies for obtaining sufficient supplies of islets for cell
transplantation therapies. (U.S. Patent No. 6,815,203).
Methods of Generating Insulin-Producing Cells, Gordon Weir, M.D., et al. (JDP-124). This
invention involves a new, potentially powerful protocol for generating insulin-producing cells
having the properties of pancreatic β-cells, using as the starting material a cell type that has not
previously been explored for this purpose.
More complete descriptions of these and other inventions available for licensing from Joslin can
be found at www.joslinresearch.org/inventions. Or, for more information, please contact::
David J. Glass, Ph.D.
Director, Technology Transfer
Joslin Diabetes Center, Room 755C
One Joslin Place
Boston, MA 02215
Phone 617-732-2400, ext. 4793
Fax 617-732-2542
David.Glass@joslin.harvard.edu