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Center for Protein Therapeutics awards $1.2 million in research funding
By Kara Sweet
Published September 1, 2020
BUFFALO, N.Y. – The University at Buffalo Center for Protein Therapeutics has awarded $1.2 million to researchers to advance the application of pharmaceutical science in the development of protein drugs.
The twelve projects were selected for $100,000 each in funding at the annual Center for Protein Therapeutics Symposium, held virtually on Aug. 10, 2020. Over 150 scientists from across the U.S. and Europe were in attendance, from prominent companies including AbbVie, Amgen, CSL-Behring, Genentech, Eli Lilly, GSK, Janssen, Merck, Roche and Sanofi.
Some of the most notable funded research (*starred below) addresses treatment and prevention of infection by the COVID-19 virus.
“Several projects were funded that attempt to characterize and improve antibody distribution in tumors, and to develop novel nanobodies to block infection with SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19,” Balthasar says.
The center is based in the UB School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and directed by Joseph Balthasar, PhD, Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Executive Director of University Research Initiatives. It is funded through a consortium that includes ten leading pharmaceutical companies.
Since its inception in 2008, the Center for Protein Therapeutics has funded over 140 seed projects totaling more than $13 million.
2020-2021 Center for Protein Therapeutics Funded Projects
- *Evaluation of transient inhibition of cetuximab-tumor binding as a strategy to overcome the "binding-site barrier"
Joseph Balthasar, PhD, Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Executive Director of University Research Initiatives - *Evaluating Determinants of PK, Tissue Distribution, and Efficacy of siRNA-antibody Conjugates
Sukyung Woo, PhD, Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences - *Investigation of Effects of Novel Nanobodies on SARS-CoV-2 Binding, ACE2 Internalization Kinetics, and SARS-CoV-2 Infection Efficiency
Joseph Balthasar, PhD, Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Executive Director of University Research Initiatives - High-resolution, robust quantitative investigation of intra-tissue distribution of biotherapeutics and key biomarkers by LC-MS, using novel spatially-resolved micro-sampling devices fabricated by advanced UV-laser-curing photopolym
Jun Qu, PhD, Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences - *Targeted Delivery of Matrix Modulating Enzymes to Improve Antibody Distribution within Solid Tumors
Joseph Balthasar, PhD, Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Executive Director of University Research Initiatives - *Quantitative Evaluation of AAV9 Mediated Brain Delivery of Protein Therapeutics
Dhaval Shah, PhD, Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences - Translational PBPK Model for Pulmonary Disposition of Protein Therapeutics
Dhaval Shah, PhD, Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences - Expansion of Platform PBPK Model to Characterize TMDD of Antibody in the Brain
Dhaval Shah, PhD, Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences - *Strategies for enhancing mAb delivery and distribution within tumors
Robert Straubinger, PhD, Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences - Pharmacokinetics-Pharmacodynamics (PK-PD) of Enhanced Effector Function (EEF) ADC
Dhaval Shah, PhD, Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences - Targeting Transferrin Receptor (TfR) to Improve Ocular Exposure of Protein Therapeutics
Dhaval Shah, PhD, Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences - Prediction of immunogenicity and its impact on PK of subcutaneously / intramuscularly administered protein therapeutics
Sathy Balu-Iyer, PhD, Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences
For over 130 years, the University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences has continually been a leader in the education of pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists, renowned for innovation in clinical practice and research. The school is accredited by the American Council of Pharmaceutical Education (ACPE) and is the No. 1 ranked school of pharmacy in New York State and No. 14 in the United States by U.S. News & World Report.