Stem Pharm, a pioneering biotechnology company, is thrilled to announce that it has been awarded a Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to advance cutting-edge research in glioblastoma, a devastating form of brain cancer. The grant will support the development of innovative neural organoid models to study the immunological microenvironment of glioblastoma, ultimately paving the way for novel drug discovery applications. The collaborative effort will be undertaken in partnership with Dr. Mahua Dey, Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery and Director of Sugical Oncology, and Dr. Christian Capitini, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Glioblastoma is a highly aggressive and challenging cancer that affects the central nervous system. Current treatment options are limited, underscoring the critical need for groundbreaking research and innovative therapeutic approaches. Stem Pharm is uniquely positioned to take on this ambitious endeavor.
The STTR grant will enable Stem Pharm’s team of expert scientists to create an advanced neural model that mimics the complex immunological microenvironment of glioblastoma. By closely collaborating with Drs. Dey and Capitini, pioneering researchers in brain tumors and immunotherapy, the project is expected to achieve novel insights into the tumor’s immune responses and interactions, presenting promising new avenues for targeted drug discovery.
“We are honored to be awarded the STTR grant from the National Cancer Institute, and we are excited about the possibilities this research collaboration presents,” said Dr. Steven Visuri, CEO of Stem Pharm. “This funding will accelerate our efforts to develop cutting-edge neural organoid models that closely mimic the intricate environment of glioblastoma tumors. Together with Dr. Dey and Dr. Capitini’s invaluable expertise, we hope to pave the way for more effective treatments.”
Dr. Dey expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “This partnership with Stem Pharm holds immense potential for advancing our understanding of glioblastoma’s complex immunological landscape. By combining our knowledge of cancer immunology with Stem Pharm’s innovative organoid technology, we aim to bring hope to glioblastoma patients by advancing models for pre-clinical testing of immunotherapies.”
Stem Pharm’s partnership with the University of Wisconsin under the guidance of Drs. Dey and Capitini exemplifies the company’s commitment to fostering collaborations between academia and the biotech industry to drive scientific breakthroughs.
