CSU taps companies to collaborate on liposome-targeting technology for cancer therapeutics

Fort Collins, Colo.

–- Colorado State University is looking to build new cancer therapeutics from its liposome-targeting technology. The university and NeoTREX (a division of CSU Ventures) inked an exclusive option agreement with Joveis, Inc. of Napa, Calif. for the development of these therapeutics.

The technology, invented by faculty at CSU's Animal Cancer Center, 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 university reports in a prepared statement. “The molecule enhances the uptake of liposomes by macrophages. 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, the university explains.

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

NeoTREX is the enterprise arm of the Cancer Supercluster at Colorado State University.