A newly published study by Dr. Ramasamy Paulmurugan (2023) of Stanford University School of Medicine demonstrated that hBD-1 (human Beta Defensin-1 or DEFB1) activates cell death pathways that sensitize breast cancer cells to chemotherapy. Dr. Carlton D. Donald, Founder and CEO of PHIGENIX, was the first to define the functional role of hBD-1 as a tumor suppressor in cancer. Dr. Donald commented, “This study supports Phigenix’s patented technology (US Patent #8,080,534), which utilizes hBD-1 as a therapy for breast cancer.” Phigenix recently formed a strategic partnership to test novel compounds that increase hBD-1 expression and activity for treating breast and prostate cancer.
Phigenix CEO Dr. Carlton Donald Gives Presentation at the 2023 MedLab Middle East Conference in Dubai
Dr. Carlton Donald was invited to present Phigenix’s cutting-edge breast and prostate cancer technology at the 2023 MedLab Middle East Conference. The four-day conference was held at the Dubai World Trade Center. Dr Donald commented, “Engaging with companies, government agencies, and other scientists was refreshing and enlightening. I look forward to collaborating with our new contacts in the region.”
Phigenix Joins JP Morgan Life Sciences
Phigenix has entered into an agreement with JP Morgan Life Sciences who will assist with the company's financial and regulatory needs, as well as guide its future expansion goals. JP Morgan offers services that focus on solutions for life sciences companies at all stages—from startups to established businesses, pre-clinical through commercialization with decades of experience in the sector while understanding the complex financial and regulatory challenges companies face. Dr. Carlton D. Donald, President and CEO of PHIGENIX commented, “This is a major step for Phigenix as we have reached an inflection point. Partnering with JP Morgan and gaining access to their wealth of expertise and insights will no doubt serve as an invaluable asset for Phigenix’s innovation and growth”.
Phigenix, Inc. Receives Issuance of U.S. Patent Covering Precision Medicine Diagnostic and Novel Therapeutic for Treating Drug-Resistant Breast Cancer
Today the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issued U.S. Patent No. 11,033,628, which is directed to methods related to the use and administration of certain PAX2 inhibitors for treating drug-resistant breast cancer. Dr. Carlton D. Donald, President and CEO of PHIGENIX, commented, “We are extremely pleased with the addition of this new patent to our portfolio to extend our cutting-edge, next-generation medical innovations. The technology covered in this patent has the potential to revolutionize how physicians determine the most effective course of treatment for breast cancer patients.“ The entire press release can be read here.
COVID-19 Vaccine’s Nanoparticle-based mRNA Delivery System Creates Opportunity for Phigenix
The recent success of COVID-19 vaccines marked a triumph for a previously unproven medical technology. The vaccines rely on the genetic instructions known as messenger RNA (mRNA). It prompts cells to make a SARS-CoV-2 protein that trains the immune system to recognize the virus. Phigenix has designed a Human Beta Defensin-1 (DEFB1) mRNA drug that utilizes a similar nanoparticle system as the COVID-19 vaccine. Phigenix was the first company to identify DEFB1, which is a component of the innate immune system, as a potent anti-tumor agent. Phigenix wholly owns this technology and is currently in discussions with a pharmaceutical company to co-develop the world’s first mRNA cancer vaccine that harnesses the patient’s own immune system.
Phigenix Receives 2020 Best of Atlanta Award
ATLANTA March 12, 2020 -- Phigenix has been selected for the 2020 Best of Atlanta Award in the Pharmaceutical Research category by the Atlanta Award Program. Each year, the Atlanta Award Program identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. The press release can be viewed here.
Phigenix Receives Second Recognition as a Major Player in Breast Cancer
Phigenix was listed as one of the top Breast Cancer market players in a report entitled, “Global Breast Cancer Market 2020 by Worldwide Industry Analysis, Trends, Growth Rate and Forecasts”, published on January 27, 2020 by Expedition 99. The article discussing the report can be read here.
Phigenix is Recognized as a Top Market Player in Breast Cancer
Phigenix was listed as one of the top Breast Cancer market players in an article entitled, “Global Breast Cancer Market Key Manufacturers, Business Overview, Segmentation and Development Trends, Global Forecast to 2026”, published on September 17, 2019 by Concept News Now. The article was based on a new report titled “ Global Breast Cancer Market”. In summary, the report was a research study, which analyzed various market aspects like market growth, risks, production volume, and market trends. Major market players of Breast Cancer, their competitive landscape, development plans and policies are also explained. The regions analyzed in this study include North America, Europe, South America, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa and rest of the world.
Phigenix Continues to Advance its Breast Cancer Therapy and Companion Diagnostic
In alignment with its overall strategy of developing PAX2 targeting compounds, Phigenix has expanded its technology to now include a new companion diagnostic test for breast cancer, which involves measuring PAX2 and DEFB1, along with determining the expression status of the estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). This test was based on our findings that there is a 92% correlation between PAX2 and HER2 expression in breast cancer patients. Phigenix has also demonstrated that PAX2 expression is suppressed by certain therapies such as HER2 antibody drug conjugates, which results in breast cancer cell death. Prescreening for these markers may help physicians determine which patients are more likely to response to these ADC’s, including patients with cancers that are resistant to other therapies such as trastuzumab and taxanes. This test may be a valuable tool for personalized medicine in breast cancer. Phigenix is currently seeking licensing or co-development partnerships for this technology.
New Study Confirms Phigenix Founder’s Groundbreaking Discovery of the MEK/ERK/STAT3/PAX2 Apoptotic Pathway in Cancer
In line with the work of Dr. Carlton D. Donald, which demonstrated that drug inactivation of the AGTR1/MEK/ERK/STAT3/PAX2 pathway resulted in a sharp decrease of cell viability of prostate cancer cells, a newly published study by Zhang et al. (2019) observed a similar decrease in the protein expression of AGTR1, p-MEK1/2, p-ERK1/2, p-STAT3, PAX2 and p-PAX2. The study concluded that utilizing drug compounds that inhibit the STAT3/PAX2 signaling pathway may be leading candidates in developing preventive agents for the treatment of prostate cancer. Phigenix is currently developing novel compounds that inhibit PAX2 expression and activity for the treatment of prostate and breast cancer.