Cascade ProDrug, Inc., and the University of Oregon, both in Eugene, have completed an agreement that gives the company exclusive ownership of technology to create medicines that “turn on” in oxygen-starved tissues. The innovation could lead to improved treatments for cancer and other diseases marked by excessive cell growth. Under the terms of the deal, Cascade ProDrug becomes sole owner of a bundle of experimental compounds, technical data, and patent rights that previously belonged to Novacea, Inc. — a publicly traded corporation that merged with Transcept Pharmaceuticals, Inc., in February 2009. Novacea had generated the technology package focusing on a biochemical mechanism known as “hypoxia activation” during an R&D collaboration with the laboratory of John Keana, PhD, professor of synthetic organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and polymer surface functionalization at UO and the holder of more than 70 U.S. patents. When Novacea changed its R&D focus in 2008, UO acquired the technology to create the nucleus of a new spinout. The Cascade ProDrug deal provides UO with an equity stake in the company and royalties from any patented products that reach the marketplace. Cascade ProDrug also provided Transcept Pharmaceuticals a consideration package as part of the agreement.
Cascade ProDrug is developing targeted therapeutics against hyperproliferative diseases. The company’s initial focus is on anti-cancer medicines activated by tumor hypoxia. The platform technology acquired from UO enables the company to reformulate existing chemotherapy agents with the potential to make them safer and more effective in treating solid tumors. The body of work completed by Novacea and UO provides Cascade ProDrug a head start on a series of lead compounds, and Cascade ProDrug intends to contract research for final stages of preclinical trials and push toward the filing of an investigational new drug with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Source: Newswise