PIQUR to Develop Anti-Cancer Therapies

University of Basel spin-off PIQUR Therapeutics AG, a targeted cancer therapy start-up focused on the discovery and the development of innovative anti-cancer drugs based on lipid kinase (PI3K) and mTOR inhibition, is set to make advances having recently secured financing from private investors and the Swiss Innovation Promotion Agency KTI/CTI.

Enjoying the unique support of its hosting University of Basel, both in terms of IP funding and the use of laboratories and support, the funds will be used for preclinical pharmacology and regulatory toxicology studies and the operational set-up of the company. Its location at the Rosental Biopark, which fosters exchange between different biotech companies and the neighbouring pharma companies has also helped build a unique cluster of young, talented and experienced researchers in the field of oncology , “with an an outstanding track record in science and business,” said  Dr. Vladimir Cmiljanovic, CEO and co-founder of PIQUR.  Selected top-experts from industry have been appointed as executives and advisors, he added.

The research group of Prof. Dr. Matthias P. Wymann, a professor at the Institute of Biochemistry and Genetics at the University of Basel, has shown how knowledge of the molecular processes involved in the development of disease can be used to develop targeted therapies.

With the University committed to translational research PIQUR offers a means of bringing such research results under licence agreements to market through potential product development. "The University is proud of PIQUR, not only for the quality of its basic research but also for the potential benefits that the new drugs offer cancer patients," said Prof. Dr. Edwin Constable, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research) at the University of Basel.