Groundbreaking Cancer and Diabetes Therapies
A new cancer treatment that specifically targets cancer cells without harming normal ones and research demonstrating how adult stem cells can be induced to form new pancreatic islet cells to combat diabetes and prevent diabetic retinopathy are among the exciting new therapies and technologies that will be available for licensing at the 2006 Florida Tech Transfer Conference on May 23.
William C. Cance, M.D. of the University of Florida's Laboratory of Signal Transduction and Cancer will explain how a critical molecule for anticancer therapeutics, Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK), is being used to generate cancer therapeutics. Originally developed to treat breast cancer, the technology also exhibits promise in treating other solid tumor cancers such as colon cancer. The specific peptide sequences, when introduced to cancer cells, inhibit FAK function and thereby limit the spread of cancer.
Edward Scott, Ph.D., Director of the University of Florida's Program in Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, last year defined SDF-1 (Stromal Derived Factor-1) as a critical target for the prevention of retinopathy. Now that safety and efficacy studies have been completed in both mice and non-human primates for anti-SDF-1 therapy, the treatment is in pre-IND development prior to initiating clinical trials. With diabetic retinopathy causing blindness in 12,000 - 24,000 Americans each year according to the American Diabetes Association, the therapy has tremendous potential to improve the quality of life for scores of diabetes sufferers.
In addition to the number of technologies and therapies that will be available for commercialization and licensing, the Florida Tech Transfer Conference will showcase some of the state's most exciting new research centers. The University of South Florida's brand new Center for Molecular Diversity in Drug Design, Discovery and Delivery (CDM5) debuted earlier this month with a mission to advance revolutionary efforts at drug discovery and design. The interdisciplinary initiative, a collaboration between the USF Department of Chemistry, the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Medicine, the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute and the USF Center for Biological Defense, represents a synergy for harnessing advances in molecular science that will lead to better understandings of human disease, disease prevention and the discovery and development of novel treatments. The Center is focusing its efforts on new strategies for enhancing molecular diversity and modes for drug delivery, such as using pharmaceutical co-crystals and nanoparticle-based antibiotics (nanobiotics).
Edward Turos, Ph.D., a professor of Chemistry at USF and founder and scientific director of Nanopharma Technologies, a USF spin-off company, will update conference delegates on CMD5 and his work in designing new antibiotics for anthrax and drug resistant staph infections and finding new nano-sized materials for drug delivery.
The Florida Tech Transfer Conference agenda will center on technology transfer and licensing trends in Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology, Medical Devices, and Materials Sciences. Keynote speakers Robert G. Bell, Ph.D., president of Biotechnology Development LLC and Walter H. Moos, Ph.D., vice president of Biosciences at SRI International, will address issues surrounding the successful introduction of new drugs and biotechnology products to the marketplace.
About the Conference Producers:
The Florida Research Consortium
The Florida Research Consortium (FRC) is a not-for-profit strategic partnership between Florida's universities, the business community and state government. For more information, visit
http://www.floridaresearch.org.
The Tampa Bay Technology Forum
Founded in 2000, the Tampa Bay Technology Forum is a professional association whose members work together to make the Bay area a place where technology and innovation thrive. For more information, visit
http://www.tbtf.org.
