LIMR and Genisphere Expand Partnership to Collaborate on Nanotherapeutics Targeting Cancer and Eye Diseases

Friday, November 30, 2012

Lankenau Institute for Medical Research (LIMR) and Genisphere, a leader in nanotechnology amplification, have partnered to develop nanotherapeutics targeting cancer and diseases of the eye. This research collaboration builds on the existing relationship between the two institutions forged earlier this year to identify Inflammatory Bowel Disease biomarkers.

Janet Sawicki, PhD, a LIMR Professor whose research focuses on nanotechnology delivery systems, is targeting various cancers with gene therapy. With the help of Genisphere’s dendrimer technology, she is utilizing selective drug delivery to find treatments for ovarian, cervical, prostate, and pancreatic cancer. In another project, LIMR Professor Mindy George-Weinstein, PhD, is studying how small molecule drugs can be used therapeutically to target cells that cause eye lesions after cataract surgery.

LIMR is fortunate to partner with Genisphere for the development of its cancer nanotherapies,” said George Prendergast, PhD, President and CEO of LIMR. “Given the wonderful intersection of these two organizations, we will have the right tools and skill sets to strengthen the path forward for clinical testing and ultimately commercialization."

Genisphere’s 3DNA dendrimer allows researchers to deliver therapeutic agents, such as siRNA, antibodies, or small drugs, to any target cell. Manufactured from natural strands of DNA hybridized together, the dendrimers are flexible, multivalent scaffolds with high biocompatibility and low toxicity.

LIMR, with its team of talented scientists, is an ideal partner for us to study how certain therapeutics work with our DNA dendrimer nanoparticles," said Bob Getts, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of Genisphere. LIMR’s ongoing relationship with Genisphere will continue to enable more rapid development of new, targeted therapeutics to improve human health.

About Genisphere

Genisphere LLC is a privately held company driven by a mission to apply its molecular biotechnology and scientific expertise to a wide range of applications to enhance the human condition through research, diagnostic advances and therapeutic solutions. As an established leader in the development and commercialization of kits and reagents used for the detection of nucleic acids and proteins, Genisphere’s solutions are primarily based on the Company’s proprietary whole transcriptome RNA Amplification processes, miRNA labeling methodologies, and 3DNA® Dendrimer Nanotechnology. These combined technologies permit the interrogation and ultra-sensitive detection of a wide range of biomolecules on a variety of detection platforms, including microarrays, flow and bead based assays, ELISAs, lateral flow assays and RNA sequencing. Genisphere is also applying its technology portfolio to the future development of diagnostic and therapeutic applications. For more information, visit www.genisphere.com.

About Lankenau Institute for Medical Research

Founded in 1927, the Lankenau Institute for Medical Research (LIMR) is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research center located in suburban Philadelphia on the campus of Lankenau Medical Center. Part of Main Line Health, LIMR is one of the few freestanding, hospital associated medical research centers in the United States. The faculty and staff at the Institute are dedicated to advancing an understanding of the causes of cancer, heart disease and diabetes. This information is used to help improve diagnosis and treatment of these diseases as well as find ways to prevent them. LIMR is also committed to extending the boundaries of human health and well-being through technology development and the training of the next generation of scientists and physicians. To learn about LIMR, visit www.limr.org.