Background

Catharanthus roseus, a medicinal plant, contains a compound called vindoline in its leaves. Commercial extraction of vindoline allows its use in two valuable chemotherapeutic drugs, vinblastine, and vincristine. Global shortage of vindoline is due to the lack of resources, which led to manufacturing delays. Previous methods in the market that aimed to increase the concentration of vindoline in C. roseus involved screening of various varieties for high producers, and chemical mutagenesis to induce random mutations. A novel method to increase vindoline concentration will help lower the cost of production and help solve the shortage of key chemotherapeutic drugs

Technology Overview

Northeastern researchers have identified a mechanism to increase the concentration of vindoline in C. roseus using site-specific mutations and upregulating vindoline production. Important genes involved in vindoline synthesis and degradation are specifically regulated to prevent degradation, while enhancing production of vindoline. This mechanism is carried out using CRISPR-Cas9 technology to produce genetically engineered C. roseus. Other modifications will also make the plant resistant to certain regulators in the environment that can affect vindoline production.

Benefits

• Higher concentration of vindoline in Catharanthus roseus leaves
• Reduces the cost of production of vindoline-based chemotherapeutic drugs, vinblastine and vincristine
• Higher survival rate of plant due to reduction of effect of external environmental agents

Applications

• Other than vindoline, catharanthine and other alkaloids can also be produced in higher concentration from C. roseus
• Technology can be extrapolated to other valuable plant compounds
• Technology can be used to optimize tolerability of C. roseus to harsh conditions, like diseases and alkaloid content

Opportunity

Seeking licensee and/or industry partner