CHAPEL HILL, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--G-Zero Therapeutics, Inc. today announced that the company has received an Advanced Technology Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health. This grant awards $3M to continue studies towards “Organismal Radioprotection through Pharmacological Quiescence”. The Phase II grant follows successful completion of a $600K Phase I grant awarded in late 2009.
“This funding will continue to allow G-Zero's scientists to rapidly progress lead candidates through IND-enabling studies”, said Jay Strum, Ph.D., Chief Science Officer. “We are very encouraged by NIAID’s recognition of CDK4/6 inhibitors as promising radiomitigants, and we are excited to receive this highly competitive award.”
Bone marrow suppression is the primary cause of death in individuals inadvertently exposed to high doses of radiation. The bone marrow produces all the normal blood cells, and therefore a high dose of radiation can reduce counts of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. While there are a few drugs that will decrease toxicity when given before exposure to radiation (“radioprotectants”); currently, no effective therapy exists to mitigate bone marrow toxicity of radiation when given after radiation exposure (“radiomitigants”). Thus, the development of non-toxic radiomitigants is a top US biodefense priority. G-Zero is actively progressing small molecule inhibitors to provide protection of bone marrow and other organs including the kidney and lung from radiation exposure.
About G-Zero Therapeutics, Inc.
G-Zero Therapeutics, Inc., a privately held pharmaceutical company, founded in 2008 by Dr. Norman Sharpless, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Dr. Kwok-Kin Wong, Harvard Medical School, and Dr. John Chant, is focused on the discovery and development of novel small molecules for use in biodefense applications and cancer therapy. These molecules target specific proteins associated with cell proliferation and growth. Such therapies are useful in cancer therapy, to protect bone marrow and other organs from toxic insult.
For more information, please visit www.gzerothera.com.
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