GenSpera of San Antonio has acquired a patent application from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and the University of Copenhagen in Denmark for imaging technology that incorporates derivatives of thapsigargin.
Thapsigargin is the active ingredient in GenSpera's therapeutics program, coupled with its patented tumor-targeted peptides, which are designed to create cancer-specific imaging compounds.
When used in conjunction with imaging modalities such as PET or SPECT, the technology aids in detecting and monitoring tumors that have accumulated the imaging compound.
Unlike standard cancer drugs, thapsigargin kills cells independent of their division rate, thus making it effective in killing all cancers and cancer stem cells, according to GenSpera.
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