| Research Direction |
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| Ensysce Biosciences is accelerating the use of carbon nanotubes in therapeutics by conducting in-house research to progress the technology through preclinical development and by funding fundamental discovery research programs at major medical centers and universities. Scientists with extensive experience in cancer therapeutics and in the use of fullerene carbon nanotubes are currently being supported by Ensysce to conduct discover studies to complement its in-house programs. These include leading investigators at UT M. D. Anderson Cancer Center (Drs. Garth Powis and Geoffrey Bartholomeusz), Stanford University (Dr. Hongjie Dai), Rice University (Drs. Bruce Weisman and Lon Wilson). Ensysce Biosciences' focus on the development aspects of the therapeutic applications will provide an avenue to move these rapidly into the clinic. |
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| Research Programs Supported by Ensysce |
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| Delivery of Small Interfering RNA (siRNA) for Cancer Treatment |
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| It is well established that siRNAs can silence gene messages and have potential to suppress messages which lead to cancer. However the one issue which remains to be resolved is that of adequate delivery of siRNA directly into cancer cells of tumors without degradation or interference with other matter. |
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| Animal studies at M. D. Anderson have demonstrated that carbon nanotubes facilitate the delivery of siRNA into cancer cells producing the desired biological activity. |
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| Ensysce is supporting continued work in this area through a program involving M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and Rice University. |
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| Delivery and Improved Performance of Established Active Cancer Drugs |
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| Ensysce is supporting continued research at Stanford University where Dr. Hongjie Dai has demonstrated that carbon nanotubes improve the efficacy of the existing cancer drugs, taxol and doxorubicin, while reducing apparent side effects. |
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| This novel delivery mechanism is expected to improve performance of these widely used cancer drugs and provide novel patentable agents. |
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| Delivery of Alpha-emitting Radiation Using Carbon Nanotubes |
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| Researchers at Rice University have developed a procedure to make ultra-short carbon nanotubes with holes in the walls that allow alpha-emitting materials to enter and be retained. This complex of short half life alpha-emitting material in fullerene carbon nanotubes provides a means for delivery directly into the cancer cell. Subsequent emission from the radioactive material is only a 2-3 cell diameter, ensuring localization of the effect of these agents. |
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| Ensysce is supporting a research program that is exploring the use of two alpha-emitters, astatine and actinium complexed inside ultra-short carbon nanotubes that is being conducted jointly by Rice University and a major cancer center. |
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| M. D. Anderson Cancer Center: http://www.mdanderson.org/ |
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| Stanford University: http://www.stanford.edu/dept/chemistry/faculty/dai/group/ |
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| Rice University: http://www.rice.edu/ |
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