Provides GEn1E the potential to enter clinic with a therapy for Pseudomonas infections in Cystic Fibrosis patients
PALO ALTO, Calif., Nov. 19, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GEn1E Lifesciences Inc. (“GEn1E”), a pre-clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on transforming promising research into therapies for areas of huge unmet medical needs, announced today that it has entered into an exclusive option agreement with the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) to license patent rights entitled “MUC1 Decoy Peptides for Treatment and Prevention of Bacterial Infections,” invented by Erik P. Lillehoj, Ph.D., Avelino C. Verceles, M.D. and Simeon E. Goldblum, M.D., all faculty members of the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
“The inventors' novel use of MUC1-ED, a natural peptide with anti-bacterial properties for the treatment of Pseudomonas infections, is a compelling complement to antibiotic-based therapies,” said Ritu Lal, Ph.D., GEn1E's co-founder and Chief Executive Officer. “MUC1-ED’s mechanism of action differs from traditional antibiotic therapies and could be used to reduce the bacterial load, slow the development of resistance and shorten the duration of treatment.”
“The University’s newly formed partnership with GEn1E Lifesciences is very encouraging, and we hope to see it lead to rapid external validation of the MUC1-ED technology,” said Nancy Cowger, Director of Licensing and Alliances for UM Ventures. “It’s also an example of how early-stage technology investment by the University and the state of Maryland – via support from UMB’s Institute for Clinical and Translational Research and the Maryland Innovation Initiative – can enhance the commercial viability of important new medical innovations emerging from academic research.”
"We are excited to enter into this exclusive agreement with UMB and to collaborate with Drs. Lillehoj and Goldblum to further establish the anti-bacterial properties of this peptide. We seek to determine its potential to treat Pseudomonas infections in areas of high need, including individuals with Cystic Fibrosis,” said Dr. Lal. “This collaboration is a welcome opportunity to expand GEn1E’s pipeline of assets and our collaboration with UMB.”
About GEn1E Lifesciences
GEn1E Lifesciences Inc. is a pre-clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on transforming promising research into therapies for areas of huge unmet medical needs. In addition to rights associated with the exclusive option agreement with UMB for its MUC1-ED peptide, GEn1E has an exclusive option with UMB for its p38a Kinase inhibitor for treatment of Acute Lung Injury/Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and various inflammatory and age-related diseases.
About the University of Maryland, Baltimore
The University of Maryland, Baltimore is commercializing breakthrough therapies, diagnostics and devices, fueling the creation of innovative start-up companies, and attracting industry leaders and entrepreneurs to its thriving campus. Founded in 1807 as the first public medical school in the nation, the University is a fast-growing biomedical research center with nationally ranked professional schools of dentistry, law, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, social work, an interdisciplinary graduate school as well as a 12 acre biomedical research park. www.umaryland.edu
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