Indianapolis-based Kovina Therapeutics says it recently closed on a $2 million seed round of financing led by Indy-based Elevate Ventures. The pre-clinical biotechnology company aims to discover a non-surigcal, medical treatment for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infections and cancers.
Elevate Ventures says it was joined by investors from BioCrossroads, IU Ventures, and other un-named individual members from the Indiana life science community.
Co-founders Dr. Elliot Androphy, Dr. Zhijian Lu and Dr. Samy Meroueh have been successful in producing novel compounds that selectively target and kill HPV infected cells.
“While the HPV vaccine effectively prevents new infections, it does not treat existing infections that can progress to malignancy,” said Androphy. “An estimated 630,000 women and men worldwide are diagnosed with HPV induced cancers annually and millions more are at risk for progression of existing HPV infections.”
Kovina has licensed the intellectual property from Indiana University.
The company says it will use the seed funding to complete the necessary preclinical testing, eventually advancing to human trials. HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the world and causes nearly all cervical cancers.
_______________________________________________________________________________
About the Kelley Certificate in the Life Sciences Program
As a part of the Certificate in the Business of Life Sciences program students complete coursework and attend events about the industry. Students gain plenty of hands-on experience with life sciences companies and organizations as they work with fellow students in interdisciplinary teams solving real problems. Guest speakers are a vital component of classroom learning. We bring in a range of successful leaders in the life sciences industry. The courses feature a variety of guest speakers, most of whom are successful leaders in the life sciences industry.
See the Kelley Center for the Business of Life Sciences website for more information.
Leave a Reply