Goethe University Frankfurt has lauched a pioneering collaborative project to develop mRNA for treating ovarian cancer. The promising initiative established by Prof. Klaus Strebhardt, director of the Department of Molecular Gynecology and Obstetrics, recently took second place in the prestigious Goethe Innovation Award. More technological milestones can be expected on the path to clinical application.
From left: Dr. Monika Raab, Prof. Sven Becker, Dr. Mourad Sanhaji and Prof. Klaus Strebhardt.
Focus on innovative mRNA technology
The active agent is based on mRNA and intended to reactivate the protein DAPK1 in ovarian cancer cells. Researchers Prof. Klaus Strebhardt, Dr. Mourad Sanhaji and Dr. Monika Raab discovered that the loss of this protein plays a key role in the pathophysiology of ovarian cancer that responds poorly to existing treatments. Similar to the successful mRNA vaccines for COVID-19, the synthetic mRNA should stimulate the production of specific proteins in the cancer cells that either inhibit tumor growth or kill the cancer cells. Experiments in mice have so far been very promising, with plans to now investigate the optimum “packaging” for this mRNA in cooperation with a specialized firm.
Financing from the CARMA fund
The CARMA venture capital fund co-founded by the university is investing €1.5 million in the research project, which will enable the continued development of the novel treatment all the way to clinical trials in human beings. The early-stage investment fund is specialized in life-science projects and invests in both start-ups as well as university projects. “This investment is not just economically advantageous; it also has a clear added benefit for patients,” explains CARMA’s managing partner Dr. Martin Raditsch.
Clinical trials at University Hospital Frankfurt
A major advantage of this collaborative project is the possibility of later trialing the active agent at University Hospital Frankfurt. The gynecology team headed by institute director Prof. Sven Becker will be in charge of practically realizing these clinical studies. “This close dovetailing of basic research and clinical application promises to accelerate the therapeutic agent’s development,” says Prof. Becker.
Exemplary cooperation
This unique cooperation between Goethe University Frankfurt, established companies and the CARMA fund is a good example of how academic research, industrial expertise and technology management can work together in synergy to advance the development of new treatment options. The technology transfer company Innovectis played a key role in elaborating this model (which is being used for the first time), and constitutes an important link between academic research and industrial application. Innovectis Managing Director Dr. Kirstin Schilling is excited: “This new concept also promises new future impetus for developing more innovative projects at Goethe University.”
Innovectis: A bridge between research and the private sector
Innovectis is the technology transfer company of Goethe University Frankfurt. It is a wholly owned university subsidiary that promotes the transfer of knowledge and technology through the management and exploitation of patents, by coordinating research projects, supporting business start-ups and by networking scientists and private-sector companies.
CARMA fund: Goethe University’s innovation driver
The CARMA fund is a venture capital fund that cooperates closely with Goethe University Frankfurt. It has a target volume of €60 million to invest in promising life-science projects and start-ups associated with the university. The fund enables Goethe University to transfer research innovations to practical application more quickly, and provides both financing and back-up from a valuable network of experts.
