The Colorado State University Research Foundation and NeoTREX, the enterprise arm of CSU’s Cancer Supercluster, have entered into an exclusive option agreement with Jovesis Inc. of Napa, Calif., to develop and use liposome-targeting technology for cancer therapeutics.
The technology, invented by faculty members at CSU's Animal Cancer Center, uses a targeting molecule on the outer surface of a bubble-like structure known as a liposome. The molecule enhances the uptake of the liposomes by cells known as macrophages, a type of cell often associated with tumors and tumor growth. Upon uptake by macrophages, a bisphosphonate inside the liposome is released within the macrophage, causing cell death and reducing a wide array of cancer-promoting cellular signals.
Liposome-targeting technology has reduced tumor growth and spread in animals with cancer as well as in dogs with spontaneous malignant histiocytosis. Histiocytosis is a disease that causes histiocytes, which are a type of cell involved in the immune response, to grow abnormally as cancer cells.
NeoTREX is a division of CSU Ventures Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. The goal of NeoTREX is to translate research discoveries into products that aid in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The Cancer Supercluster is a multi-disciplinary group of faculty members at Colorado State University from across campus. The goal is to bring together experts from different areas to work on cancer research.
Jovesis is a privately held biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel therapeutics for cancer. Business inquiries may be made to Jovesis Inc., through Mark E. Johnson, CEO, at mark.johnson@jovesis.com or NeoTREX, through Steve Foster, Director of Business Development, at steve@neotrex.org.
