USC and Senex Biotechnology Advance Cancer Therapies
The University of South Carolina and Senex Biotechnology have maintained a partnership for over a decade, focusing on the development of advanced cancer therapies. This collaboration began in 2011 when Dr. Igor Roninson joined the University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy, leading to the relocation of Senex Biotechnology’s research operations to Columbia.
Scientists from both institutions are engaged in developing targeted treatments for various cancers, including ovarian, breast, prostate, colon, childhood cancers, and leukemia. The core of their work involves interrupting transcriptional reprogramming, a process by which cancer cells adapt and spread. To achieve this, researchers are developing selective inhibitors that target CDK8 and CDK19 proteins.
A notable clinical candidate from this partnership is SNX631-6, which specifically inhibits CDK8/19 enzymes. These enzymes are known to enable cancers to adapt to therapy and grow in different tissues. Early research has indicated that CDK8/19 inhibitors can significantly suppress tumor growth and potentially improve survival outcomes.
The University of South Carolina’s Technology Commercialization Office played a role in structuring a collaborative intellectual property agreement for this partnership, allowing for joint development and co-ownership of innovations resulting from their shared research.