500,000 euros for the fight against liver metastases
This year, the start-up prize m4 Award goes to the team led by PD Dr. Dr. Peter Dietrich who conducts research at the Institute of Biochemistry at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and at Department of Medicine 1 at Uniklinikum Erlangen. The team has been awarded 500,000 euros for its project iLivE aimed at developing an RNAi therapy for treating liver metastases.
The project iLivE
Liver metastases are among the most common causes of cancer-related deaths – nearly every form of cancer shows a striking tendency to form secondary tumorous lesions in the liver. The cause of this had remained largely unknown until now. During the iLivE project, the team led by Peter Dietrich succeeded in identifying a key molecule produced by liver cells that specifically attracts tumor cells and encourages them to settle and grow in the liver.
Based on these findings, iLivE developed an innovative treatment concept: instead of attacking tumor cells directly, it specifically switches off the key molecule in the liver using RNA interference (RNAi). This prevents the creation of a pro-metastatic niche – an innovative approach that focuses treatment on the tumor’s environment.
“Our method could potentially revolutionize clinical treatment of liver metastases. RNAi medicines can be dispensed using simple injections, with few side effects, and they often remain effective for several months after just one dose,” explains Dr. Laura Wormser from the iLivE team.
“Thanks to the m4 award, the team can now pursue the next steps towards forming a spin-off and moving into clinical development, an important step on the path towards the method being used to benefit patients,” explains PD Dr. Dr. Peter Dietrich.
About the prize
The prize is awarded by BioM, the networking organization of the biotechnology sector in Munich and Bavaria, together with the Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy. The award supports the continued development and validation of innovative project ideas with the aim of specifically preparing for spin-offs. This year, five teams were selected from a total of 48 excellent applications from research institutions across the whole of Bavaria.
Further information:
PD Dr. Dr. Peter Dietrich
peter.dietrich@fau.de