Metabolism-focused startup aims to shorten time between scientific insight and therapies

One of the major challenges in modern medicine is the length of time required to turn new scientific insights into treatments that help patients. Now, the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA is launching an innovative startup company to speed up that process, with an emphasis on metabolism research and related therapies.This new “virtual” drug development startup company, Enspire Bio, will channel the knowledge and financial resources necessary to translate basic science — the bedrock of medicine — into powerful treatments. And, in a notable departure from traditional approaches, the translation will occur in the he art of the research lab.Enspire Bio is a collaboration between the Metabolism Research Theme at the David Geffen School of Medicine and UCLA ’s Technology Development Group.“As scientists, we have a responsibility to cure disease,” said Orian Shirihai, leader of the Metabolism Theme. “This company will help us accomplish that goal by ensuring researchers have the tools and the diverse expertise, not just the funding, needed to develop new drugs.”Traditionally, a new startup is launched once a potential therapy has been identified. The researchers behind it patent their intellectual property, then team up with outside investors and entrepreneurs who license the compound into a company that takes on the translational work to develop its therapeutic potential. Often this company is formed around just a single therapeutic asset.With the new virtu...
Source: UCLA Newsroom: Health Sciences - Category: Universities & Medical Training Source Type: news