Researchers: Prof. Fuad Fares; Dr. Lital Sharvit; Prof. Solomon Wasser
Company Background
Striding towards a novel treatment for one of the deadliest cancers.
Based on mushroom-derived compound, inhibiting progression of pancreatic cancer cells.
University of Haifa researchers working to improve survival for patients with pancreatic cancer joined with Carmel, the University’s economic corporation, and established CanCurX to further develop a novel treatment for this deadly disease.
Leading research and development is Prof. Fuad Fares of the Faculty of Natural Sciences. In 2009 he founded biomedical start-up Prolor Biotech, which engineered a platform that prolongs the lifespan and efficacy of therapeutic proteins in treating deficiencies. (Prolor Biotech was acquired by Opko Health in 2013.)
Prof. Fares and Dr. Lital Sharvit have accomplished successful research leading toward the development of a novel treatment for pancreatic cancer. Their discovery is based on properties of a mushroom-derived compound that arrest pancreatic cell growth.
Learn more about the technology and research status
Drug Market Potential
Pancreatic cancer is the 12th most common cancer worldwide. According to the World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition, it is estimated that 418,000 new cases will be diagnosed between 2017 and 2020.
According to a Grand View Research report, the global pancreatic cancer treatment market was valued at $1.7 billion in 2015. The growing geriatric population, along with obesity, alcohol consumption, and smoking as key-suspected factors contributing to the occurrence of pancreatic cancer, are expected to drive market growth up to $4.2 billion in 2025.
Since the disease is commonly diagnosed at an advanced stage, current forms of treatment do not succeed in extending median survival duration beyond 6-12 months after diagnosis.
IP Status
Patents registered for the mushroom strain, the extract prepared from it and the treatment process.
Innovation Investment & Partnership Opportunities
Heading the CanCurX research team is Prof. Fuad Fares, founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Prolor Biotech. Prolor Biotech was acquired by Opko Health in 2013 for $480M.
CanCurX Ltd. received seed investment from the Carmel Innovations Fund, supporting the company’s research and development, and steering it towards its present accomplishments.
Carmel Ltd. is now seeking potential partners and/or investors to drive strong company growth and drug market disruption.
Related pages
Cancer Program: Drug Development for One of the Deadliest of Cancers
Lital Sharvit, Dr.- researcher page
Fuad Fares, Prof.- researcher page
