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Method for predicting or forecasting response to cancer treatment

Summary

Profile Type
  • Technology offer
POD Reference
TOES20230608005
Term of Validity
8 June 2023 - 7 June 2025
Company's Country
  • Spain
Type of partnership
  • Commercial agreement with technical assistance
  • Research and development cooperation agreement
Targeted Countries
  • All countries
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General information

Short Summary
The Foundation for Biosanitary Research and Innovation of the Principality of Asturias (FINBA) (Spain) has applied for the patent of an invention related to a biomarker (GARP, Golgi Associated Retrograde Protein Complex) and a method for predicting or forecasting response to cancer treatment, preferably to the treatment of sarcomas. They are looking for a biomedical/biotechnological company interested in a license and/or collaboration agreement to develop and exploit this asset.
Full Description
Currently, treatment of bone sarcoma is multimodal and consists of a combination of surgery and/or chemotherapy. The poor prognosis of sarcoma correlates with resistance to conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Patients whose sarcomas express GARP have a significantly poor 5-year survival. In addition, those osteosarcoma lines with high GARP expression show greater resistance to drug- and radiation-induced cell death.
In contrast, the prognosis of patients with low GARP expression is better.
GARP represents a new therapeutic target for the treatment of sarcoma, possibly in combination with traditional chemotherapy drugs and radiotherapy.
In terms of its effect, GARP activates TGFβ factor, a key mediator in cancer. Currently available TGFβ (Transforming Growth Factor β) antagonists do not distinguish between physiological and disease-induced TGFβ activation, resulting in a high risk of side effects. Since GARP expression is more restricted than that of TGFβ, its use as a therapeutic target would imply a safer and more efficient blockade of the pro-cancer effect of TGFβ.
Advantages and Innovations
The innovative aspects of the invention are related to the following points:
- Inhibiting GARP function would have a dual benefit: on the one hand, it would possess antiproliferative activity, and on the other hand, it would increase the sensitivity of cancer cells to chemotherapy as well as radiotherapy.
- GARP expression levels can identify those patients with a worse prognosis and response to chemotherapy.
Stage of Development
  • Lab tested
Sustainable Development Goals
  • Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
IPR status
  • IPR granted

Partner Sought

Expected Role of a Partner
Biomedical/Biotechnological company interested in a license and/or a collaboration agreement to develop and exploit this asset.
Type and Size of Partner
  • SME 50 - 249
  • University
  • SME 11-49
  • R&D Institution
  • SME <=10
  • Big company
Type of partnership
  • Commercial agreement with technical assistance
  • Research and development cooperation agreement

Dissemination

Technology keywords
  • 06002007 - In vitro Testing, Trials
  • 06003002 - Gene Expression, Proteome Research
  • 06001005 - Diagnostics, Diagnosis
  • 06001012 - Medical Research
  • 06002002 - Cellular and Molecular Biology
Market keywords
  • 05001005 - Molecular diagnosis
  • 05001002 - In-vitro diagnostics
Sector Groups Involved
  • Health
Targeted countries
  • All countries