Invitation to Form Strategic Alliance to Reduce Suffering Due to Deadly COPD and Lung Cancer
Genyous Biomed International (“Genyous”) was founded in 2000 by a group of practical visionaries who seek to significantly improve the methods used to address the growing burden that lung diseases are placing on society. Genyous is committed to developing an affordable and well-tolerated integrated healthcare solution comprised of early detection and diagnostics coupled with Multifunctional Multitargeted (MFMT™) drugs representing a new class of drugs (patents pending) intended for prevention, early intervention and treatment of deadly lung diseases such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (“COPD”) and lung cancer.
Each year over 170,000 Americans are diagnosed with lung cancer and more than 160,000 people die from it. An estimated 16 million Americans have been diagnosed with COPD and each year over 120,000 Americans die from it. In 2003, COPD and asthma treatment in the U.S. cost over $42 billion and accounted for $94 billion in lost economic output.
Genyous commercializes its products by licensing to its spin off companies and pharmaceutical companies that focus on the unique business characteristics of each component of its integrated solution.
Early Detection and Diagnostics for Lung Cancer:
Early Stage Lung Cancer Risk Assessment
Genyous’ first spin off, Perceptronix, is focused on the commercialization of new diagnostics to improve the ability to detect and diagnose lung cancer. In September 2007, the company launched its first product, LungSign™, a test to assess risk of lung cancer. It is based on a marker in sputum that is highly correlated with the presence of lung malignancy—even in early stage disease. LungSign is the first test to market that provides both an independent result to help with the early detection of lung cancer and a useful complement to current radiological diagnostic methods (http://www.perceptronix.com).
Screening the High Risk Population
For screening, Genyous is working on solutions based on the quantitative measurement of molecular markers that do not rely on gross changes in tissue or subjective interpretation. Genyous has been evaluating biosensor platforms (applying nanotechnology) with the potential of detecting cancer via breath or blood analysis. Translational research programs have commenced for the most promising technologies. Genyous’ lung cancer screening solutions will be commercialized by Nanoverti, its subsidiary for nanotechnology-based early detection.
Prevention/Early Intervention/Treatment of Lung Cancer via MFMT Drugs:
Cancer has been described as a heterogeneous disease, a characterization that has been substantiated by the finding that hundreds of genes are implicated in cancer. Modern discoveries have also determined that carcinogenesis is not just a function of cell features, but also of the cell’s interaction with its microenvironment (stroma) and the immune response system. To address this heterogeneous nature of cancer, Genyous has invented Multifunctional Multitargeted (MFMT™) therapies, a new class of drugs (patents pending) formulated based on a systems biology strategy. MFMT drugs have been formulated to deliver multiple synergistic actives in low doses, with a goal of avoiding disruption of homeostasis and minimizing development of drug resistance in patients. Genyous’ MFMT drugs are orally bioavailable, and given their wide dosing window, they are ideal for prevention, early intervention and maintenance (converting cancer to a chronic disease with minimal risk of recurrence).
Early Intervention
Cancer has been characterized as a progression of biological changes spanning many years, rather than a spontaneous random event. Given this, there are many opportunities to disrupt this progression, even after clinically detectable changes have manifested but before cancer has developed. For lung cancer, airflow obstruction and disease such as COPD have been correlated with elevated risk of lung cancer. Pharmaceuticals that alleviate symptoms associated with COPD and disrupt processes such as chronic inflammation, without reducing quality of life, are the ideal early intervention solutions for people at high risk of lung cancer. Genyous’ prevention and early intervention MFMT drug candidates are formulated to address these needs and are targeted to be commercialized in 2010 by partnering with a pharmaceutical company with expertise and resources to market to primary care physicians and pulmonary specialists.
Cancer Treatment
Genyous’ lead MFMT oncology drug candidate, Aneustat™, has been approved in Canada for a Phase I PK/dose escalation study that is to be conducted at the British Columbia Cancer Agency (“BCCA”) in Vancouver and at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto. Aneustat has been found to possess six therapeutic functions and to act on eight biological targets associated with carcinogenesis. Pre-clinical studies conducted by the BCCA show that Aneustat is orally bioavailable, extends survival of animals harboring human lung cancer, and inhibits lung cancer on par with combination chemotherapy but without significant side effects. Additionally, the BCCA has conducted safety studies in rats (including daily dosing for 6 months) which demonstrated that Aneustat generated no toxicities in animals. Pre-clinical studies suggest that Aneustat has the potential for broad use including as an adjuvant to surgery, as an adjuvant to radiation therapy, and in combination with non-selective (and highly toxic) chemotherapies as well as newer targeted chemotherapy. Genyous plans to commercialize its oncology products in 2011 through its affiliate Omnitura Therapeutics (http://www.omnitura.com).
Genyous Strategic Alliance Program
Genyous is in the process of forming alliances for scientific, clinical and commercial collaboration (which may include financial investment) to accelerate the delivery of these innovative solutions to lung cancer patients.