BACKAptamers targeting to EBV-associated malignancies and their applications in cancer imaging and therapies
[Licensing negotiation in progress]
[Invitation for Expression of Interest- Deadline: 23rd June 2025]
We are inviting expressions of interest (EoI) for commercializing “Aptamers targeting to EBV-associated malignancies and their applications in cancer imaging and therapies” technology. The innovation is developed by Professor TSANG Anna Chi Man, Professor of Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK Reference: 21/MED/1048).
The Technology
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is aetiologically linked to distinct types of epithelial cancer such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and EBV-associated gastric cancer; and a remarkably wide range of lymphoid malignancies such as Hodgkin disease, Burkitt and diffuse large B cell lymphomas. Systemic chemotherapy remains as the major treatment modality in the management of most cancer types. Therefore, improvement in cancer site imaging and selective drug delivery is imperative for monitoring treatment efficacy as well as lowering toxicity in treating cancers. Aptamers are single-stranded oligonucleotides with 3D folding and can bind to specific targets. They can be conjugated with imaging probes for assessing tumor burden and searching for metastases. They can also serve similar role as drug-targeting antibodies by directing toxic cargoes against cell-surface proteins on tumor cells. We have exploited the unique presence of EBV infection in NPC and Cell based Systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (Cell-SELEX) to enrich aptamers which can preferentially bind to the surface molecules on EBV-associated NPC cells. The present disclosure provides the nucleic sequences of three aptamers discovered by us: Apt-NPCLMP1 which was selected from LMP1 (an EBV oncoprotein)-positive cells, and Apt-NPCEBV1 and Apt-NPCEBV2 which were selected from EBV-positive cells. These aptamers have shown preferential accumulation in LMP1/EBV+ve tumors in mice models. Moreover, molecular analyses have identified potential binding targets of these aptamers, including but not limited to CCHC-Type Zinc Finger Nucleic Acid Binding Protein (CNBP) and metadherin (MDTH). These binding targets do not only represent novel cell surface markers of LMP1-expressing and/or EBV-positive NPC cells, but they are indeed known oncogenes in some other cancer types such as pancreatic cancer, gastric carcinoma and breast cancer. Thus, these three aptamers described herein enables (A) cancer imaging: by linking with molecular probes (e.g. fluorescence, positron emission tomography radiotracers), and (B) effective drug targeting: by loading with toxic nucleotide analogues (e.g. gemcitabine and fluorouracil, which are the commonly used chemodrugs in cancer treatment) as well as other anti-cancer nanoparticles (e.g. drug-containing lipid-nanoparticles, siRNAs-containing dendrimer-nanoparticles). The co-opting of imaging and treatment therapeutics with aptamers will provide promising managing and treatment options to cancers.
Commercialization
The technology is now available for licensing on an exclusive basis. In order to fully realize the benefit of the technology, we expect substantial investment is necessary to enable further research and development. In addition to the financial commitment, the licensee is expected to have the appropriate expertise as well as plans in marketing and strategizing the end product to ensure successful transfer of the technology to the society. Previous or existing business involvement and experience in this area is a plus.
This invitation of expression of interest is without prejudice. We also stress that this invitation is not a tender, and the University is not bound to accept any offer, or to accept the highest monetary offer, as there are additional considerations (such as the widest possible benefit to the community) that we, as a public institution, will need to take into consideration.
Aptamers targeting to EBV-associated malignancies and their applications in cancer imaging and therapies
[Licensing negotiation in progress]
[Invitation for Expression of Interest- Deadline: 23rd June 2025]
We are inviting expressions of interest (EoI) for commercializing “Aptamers targeting to EBV-associated malignancies and their applications in cancer imaging and therapies” technology. The innovation is developed by Professor TSANG Anna Chi Man, Professor of Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK Reference: 21/MED/1048).
The Technology
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is aetiologically linked to distinct types of epithelial cancer such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and EBV-associated gastric cancer; and a remarkably wide range of lymphoid malignancies such as Hodgkin disease, Burkitt and diffuse large B cell lymphomas. Systemic chemotherapy remains as the major treatment modality in the management of most cancer types. Therefore, improvement in cancer site imaging and selective drug delivery is imperative for monitoring treatment efficacy as well as lowering toxicity in treating cancers. Aptamers are single-stranded oligonucleotides with 3D folding and can bind to specific targets. They can be conjugated with imaging probes for assessing tumor burden and searching for metastases. They can also serve similar role as drug-targeting antibodies by directing toxic cargoes against cell-surface proteins on tumor cells. We have exploited the unique presence of EBV infection in NPC and Cell based Systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (Cell-SELEX) to enrich aptamers which can preferentially bind to the surface molecules on EBV-associated NPC cells. The present disclosure provides the nucleic sequences of three aptamers discovered by us: Apt-NPCLMP1 which was selected from LMP1 (an EBV oncoprotein)-positive cells, and Apt-NPCEBV1 and Apt-NPCEBV2 which were selected from EBV-positive cells. These aptamers have shown preferential accumulation in LMP1/EBV+ve tumors in mice models. Moreover, molecular analyses have identified potential binding targets of these aptamers, including but not limited to CCHC-Type Zinc Finger Nucleic Acid Binding Protein (CNBP) and metadherin (MDTH). These binding targets do not only represent novel cell surface markers of LMP1-expressing and/or EBV-positive NPC cells, but they are indeed known oncogenes in some other cancer types such as pancreatic cancer, gastric carcinoma and breast cancer. Thus, these three aptamers described herein enables (A) cancer imaging: by linking with molecular probes (e.g. fluorescence, positron emission tomography radiotracers), and (B) effective drug targeting: by loading with toxic nucleotide analogues (e.g. gemcitabine and fluorouracil, which are the commonly used chemodrugs in cancer treatment) as well as other anti-cancer nanoparticles (e.g. drug-containing lipid-nanoparticles, siRNAs-containing dendrimer-nanoparticles). The co-opting of imaging and treatment therapeutics with aptamers will provide promising managing and treatment options to cancers.
Commercialization
The technology is now available for licensing on an exclusive basis. In order to fully realize the benefit of the technology, we expect substantial investment is necessary to enable further research and development. In addition to the financial commitment, the licensee is expected to have the appropriate expertise as well as plans in marketing and strategizing the end product to ensure successful transfer of the technology to the society. Previous or existing business involvement and experience in this area is a plus.
This invitation of expression of interest is without prejudice. We also stress that this invitation is not a tender, and the University is not bound to accept any offer, or to accept the highest monetary offer, as there are additional considerations (such as the widest possible benefit to the community) that we, as a public institution, will need to take into consideration.