Albuquerque, NM – September 10, 2014 New Mexico-based SolaranRx, Inc., and STC.UNM (STC) have signed an exclusive option agreement for a novel technology platform for treating metastatic melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. The technology shows promise as personalized medicine, providing a targeted, safe, and cost effective treatment for metastatic melanoma.
Developed by Dr. Yubin Miao, associate professor in the Departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Dermatology at the University of New Mexico (UNM), the technology includes novel radiolabeled peptides that target a receptor selectively overexpressed on melanoma cells. Tumor metastasis can thus be imaged to identify and treat patients using the peptide technology combined with commercially available radionuclides. Dr. Miao explains, “Therapy and diagnostics are merged with the technology, creating a unique theranostic platform for metastatic melanoma.”
Skin cancers are the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the United State. Although melanoma accounts for 75 percent of all skin cancer-related deaths, it represents less than five percent of diagnosed skin cancers. Nearly one million Americans are afflicted with melanoma. There is no known curative treatment once the melanoma spreads or metastasizes to other parts of the body. Current treatment options have serious, sometimes fatal, side effects and often benefit only a limited number of patients at great cost. There is a significant unmet need for alternative treatments.
The science behind SolaranRx’s newly optioned platform is powerful. The peptide technology demonstrates highly specific binding to melanoma cells, targeting the melanocortin-1 receptor present in about 80 percent of human metastatic melanoma samples. The peptide can carry an imaging or therapeutic radionuclide, allowing physicians to select patients for treatment, deliver targeted radiation and visualize patient response.
Commenting on the agreement, SolaranRx CEO and Co-founder Les Stewart said, “Securing this exclusive option is the first step toward commercializing a potentially powerful new tool in the fight against metastatic melanoma. Dr. Miao’s research demonstrates proof of concept in targeting metastatic melanoma in well-established mouse models. Our next milestone is to show clinical proof of concept in patients to target and treat metastatic melanoma.”
STC CEO Lisa Kuuttila is pleased that SolaranRx is developing the UNM technology. “This technology has potential for an efficient and effective way to treat a disease that is deadly if not caught in its early stages. SolaranRx’s management team has a wealth of experience bringing promising technologies to patients. We will strongly support their commercialization efforts.”
The research behind the peptide technology was supported in part by gap funding from the Gap Fund @ UNM program, which helped to advance the invention from research to a commercialization partnership.
About SolaranRx, Inc.
SolaranRx, Inc. is developing a platform of new therapies and companion imaging agents for the treatment of metastatic melanoma. This merger between therapeutics and diagnostics—often referred to as theranostics—constitutes a new level of personalized medicine for treating metastatic melanoma. SolaranRx seeks to improve treatment and patients’ quality of life via a proprietary peptide technology platform, giving new options to clinicians and hope to patients. Visit www.SolaranRx.com or contact Les Stewart at (505) 800-5965 or LStewart@solaranrx.com.
About STC.UNM
As the technology-transfer and economic-development organization of the University of New Mexico, STC.UNM protects and commercializes technologies developed at UNM by filing patents and copyrights and transferring the technologies to the marketplace. We connect the business community (companies, entrepreneurs and investors) to these UNM technologies for licensing opportunities and the creation of start-up companies. Visit www.stc.unm.edu or contact Jovan Heusser, STC Senior Innovation Manager, at (505) 272-7908 or jheusser@stc.unm.edu.
Source: STC.UNM
For more information, contact:
Melanie Lux
mlux@luxandassociates.com