Oleolive Receives NCI Grant to Study Propentofylline for Glioblastoma Treatment

Key Insights

• Oleolive, Inc. has been awarded a $400,000 STTR grant from the National Cancer Institute to investigate propentofylline's potential in glioblastoma treatment.
• Propentofylline, a repurposed drug, will be studied for its ability to enhance the chemosensitivity of glioblastoma tumor cells, potentially improving patient outcomes.
• The research aims to address the urgent need for effective glioblastoma therapies, as current treatments offer limited survival benefits to patients.

Oleolive, Inc., a portfolio company of the Entrepreneurial Accelerator Program (EAP), has secured a $400,000 Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase 1 research grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to explore the use of propentofylline (PPF) in treating glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). The project, titled "Chemosensitization of Glioblastoma by Propentofylline," will be conducted in collaboration with Drs. Nhan Tran and Joseph Loftus, glioblastoma experts at Mayo Clinic.

Repurposing Propentofylline for Glioblastoma

Propentofylline, initially investigated for Alzheimer's disease, demonstrated safety and efficacy in clinical trials but was not commercially launched. As a repurposed drug, PPF offers the advantage of reduced development time and costs compared to novel drug development. This approach is particularly relevant in the context of GBM, where the need for new therapeutic options is critical.

Addressing the Challenge of Glioblastoma

Glioblastoma is a devastating brain cancer affecting over 15,000 Americans annually. The disease is characterized by therapy-resistant tumor cells, leading to recurrence and poor clinical outcomes. The current average survival for GBM patients is approximately 1.25 years, underscoring the urgent need for innovative therapeutic strategies.

The research will focus on evaluating whether PPF can increase the sensitivity of GBM tumor cells to chemotherapy. By enhancing chemosensitivity, PPF could potentially overcome resistance mechanisms and improve the effectiveness of existing treatments, ultimately extending survival for GBM patients.

Oleolive's Focus on Unmet Medical Needs

Oleolive, Inc., founded in 2017 and located in Shreveport, Louisiana, is a preclinical biotechnology company dedicated to developing therapeutics for various human diseases, including brain cancer, Alzheimer's disease, fibrosis, and traumatic blood loss. The company has secured over $5 million in STTR and SBIR grant awards from multiple funding sources, including the National Institute on Aging, the National Cancer Institute, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, and the Department of Defense.

Oleolive also manufactures Oligen, a dietary ingredient containing compounds from extra virgin olive oil that promote healthy aging.