Mobile, Ala. (February 13, 2007)
Contact: Paul Taylor, (251) 461-1509, USA College of Medicine
Bernie Bicoy, (888) 484-3589, Venture Research Institute |
 USA College of Medicine Licenses Anti-Cancer
Vaccine Technology to Venture Research Institute
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| The University of South Alabama College of Medicine has licensed a novel anti-cancer vaccine technology to Venture Research Institute, Inc., of Lake Forest, Calif. The agreement with the private company builds on discoveries made by biomedical scientists at USA in an attempt to ultimately develop commercially viable clinical therapies for cancer patients. |
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| The research leading up to this licensing agreement began with basic research observations made three decades ago by a USA College of Medicine research team led by Dr. Joseph H. Coggin, Emeritus Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at USA. Coggin recently retired as chair of the department of Microbiology and Immunology in the USA College of Medicine to continue this work. This research effort was funded in large part by the NIHs National Cancer Institute. |
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| The technology involves immunotherapy, a concept in which the patients own natural defense system is primed to fight diseases - in this case, cancer. Recently, a great deal of research and development in cancer therapy has focused on this novel approach.
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The VRI membership is proud to be working with the University to confirm the encouraging test results with FDA clinical trials, Bernie Bicoy, president of Venture Research Institute. |
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USA researchers developed an approach to therapy involving a component termed the Oncofetal Antigen (OFA) which is a patented immunizing agent used in the preparation of a customized vaccine. In the laboratory, it has been found to be highly tumor-specific, activating a special type of anti-tumor immune cell in the patient referred to as OFA-specific activated T cells. While the OFA component has not been found to be expressed on the surface of normal cells and tissues, the OFA component and OFA-specific activated T cells have been detected in every major type of cancer studied by USA researchers so far. Further testing is needed to determine if OFA will prove to be a true, universal cancer-specific vaccine component which is protective against advanced cancer in humans. |
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A significant advantage to the approach developed at USA is that, to date, it has not shown any toxicity or potential for immuno-suppression as compared to the so-called gold standards of conventional treatment methods such as chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. |
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We are excited about working with VRI to further evaluate this technology and its potential for commercial development, said Dr. Samuel J. Strada, interim dean of the USA College of Medicine. The Venture Research Institute shares in our desire to improve medical care through research. |
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The VRI vaccine technology licensing partnership will provide the funds needed to evaluate the effects of the OFA vaccine component in successfully treating advanced breast cancer patients that can not be cured with conventional therapies. The licensing agreement also includes the development of potentially ready-to-market cancer diagnostic methods that may be useful in monitoring the efficacy of conventional anti-cancer therapy as well as the outcome of the licensed cancer vaccine trial. |
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The research work that relates to this technology has been extensively characterized in scientific peer-reviewed literature, appearing in both basic and clinical research journals. |
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VRI is a coalition of investors working since 1993 for mutual protection and benefits in private investing, with an anti-fraud website at www.vcresearch.info |
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The USA College of Medicine, located in Mobile, Ala., is a vibrant and expanding center providing all facets of medical education, research and patient care. |
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