Nanomedicine Center to Help Develop Cancer and CNS Therapies
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University of Maryland School of Pharmacy Center for Nanomedicine and Cellular Delivery (CNCD) and Rexahn Pharmaceuticals Inc. have announced that they are working together to help develop cancer-fighting drugs and central nervous system therapies.
In a newly created position, a postdoctoral fellow will work at Rexahn’s Rockville, Md. headquarters under the mentorship of a University faculty member to find ways of applying the center’s research and expertise to improve the pharmaceutical properties of the company’s drugs in development.
"This academic-industrial partnership fosters an interdisciplinary approach to the development of effective chemotherapeutic agents," says Natalie Eddington, PhD, chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and professor in the School of Pharmacy.
"We are optimistic that this strategic collaboration will result in a long-term relationship between UMB and Rexahn."
"We are delighted to be a partner with Rexahn to help develop appropriate delivery systems for their discovered drugs," says Hamid Ghandehari, PhD, associate professor and director of the center.
"Investigators at the Center for Nanomedicine and Cellular Delivery aim to take advantage of advancements made in nanotechnology to deliver therapeutic agents to diseased targets such as cancer cells," notes Ghandehari.
"Targeted delivery enhances patients’ lives by improving drug efficacy and reducing toxic side effects."
"It also diversifies the portfolio of companies such as Rexahn by prolonging the patent life of an existing drug entity or taking an otherwise ineffective or toxic drug to the market place where it can benefit the population."
Adds George Steinfels, PhD, chief business officer of Rexahn and an alumnus of the School of Pharmacy, "This collaboration is an important one for us."
"We see it as a unique opportunity not only for the postdoctoral fellow that will ultimately be selected, but it’s also an arrangement that benefits both Rexahn and the University of Maryland. This sort of partnership is key to our drug development process."
"Drug delivery is a cornerstone in the strategic development of our drug candidates."
"These technologies will allow for better-controlled drug release, drug targeting of diseased organs with cancer, or better access to brain sites of action."
"This collaborative effort, plus Rexahn’s proximity to the University, will provide real-time incorporation of cutting-edge technology into our development pipeline."
