CSU faculty member invents new treatment for cancer to benefit animals and humans, Jovesis has licensed this technology

Wednesday, February 03, 2010

Contact for Reporters:
Dell Rae Moellenberg
(970) 491-6009
dellrae.moellenberg@colostate.edu

FORT COLLINS - Colorado State University Research Foundation and NeoTREX 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 at CSU's Animal Cancer Center, a member of CSU's Cancer Supercluster, will be used to treat humans with cancer. This new invention 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 of a wide array of cancer-promoting cellular signals.

Liposome targeting technology reduces tumor growth and spread in animals with cancer as well as in dogs with spontaneous malignant histiocytosis, a disease that causes histiocytes, which are a type of cell involved in the immune response, to grow abnormally as cancer cells.

Jovesis is a privately held biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel therapeutics for cancer.

NeoTREX is the enterprise arm of the Cancer Supercluster at Colorado State University. The goal of NeoTREX is to translate research discoveries into products that aid in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. NeoTREX is a division of CSU Ventures Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.

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 in different areas to work on cancer research.

Business inquiries may be made to Jovesis Inc., through Mark E. Johnson, CEO, or NeoTREX, through Steve Foster, director of business development.

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