*Note: This page is a summary of the above PDF. For detailed information on these sections, reference the Oncurex Business Plan.
Introduction
Problem Description
While ursolic acid is currently available for purchase and FDA-approved as a dietary supplement, the method of extracting ursolic acid from plants, such as loquats and apples, requires massive land and water resources while delivering a low yield. This environmentally taxing process is especially impactful on the apple farms that represent a significant part of the local agriculture in and around Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. In 2022, Tompkins County reported nearly 200 acres of apple-bearing land use. Current research shows that a biological pathway exists within yeast to produce this compound, but it has only been done at a lab-based small-batch scale. Cornell iGEM aims to streamline sustainable, high-yield ursolic acid production and prepare for a potential influx of demand by providing a continuous industrial method to produce the natural product by manipulating the biological pathways in genetically modified yeast.
cGMP Compliance
Our manufacturing processes will follow closely the FDA’s Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) regulations, as outlined in 21 CFR Part 210 and 21 CFR Part 21[6]. These regulations outline the minimum standards for the manufacturing, processing, packing, and holding of drugs including biologics like proteins produced by yeast. These regulations ensure that the drug product is safe for use, possesses the claimed ingredients and strength, and is free from contamination. Key aspects of cGMP include maintaining clean and hygienic manufacturing areas, conducting thorough quality control testing, and establishing robust quality management systems. For example, all lab spaces will be BSL2 and all manufacturing for documentation will follow ALCOA (Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, and Accurate) principles. We will follow the created standard operating procedures (SOPs) that currently exist in Team Cornell, including: having unambiguous instructions, new member protocols, and safety procedures in the manufacturing process.
Market Sizing
Figure 1. Oncurex Market Sizing
TAM
Total Addressable Market: Global Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing
The total market for Global Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing shows an annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.5% for 2023. Total revenues amounted to upwards of $1.2 Trillion, deviating roughly 0.7% from 2014-2024[15].
SAM
Serviceable Addressable Market: Global Specialized Disease Treatment (Oncology)
The total market for Global Specialized Disease Treatment Manufacturing represents a 31.5% share of the Global Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing market, with total revenue amounting to $364.4 Billion for 2023[12].
SOM
Serviceable Obtainable Market: United States Oncology Prescriptions
The Oncology Prescriptions segment of the United States Brand Name Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing market reported revenues of $33.2 Billion in 2023, totaling 12.7% of this domestic market[12].
Market Analysis
SWOT
This is a strategic planning tool that enables us to identify and plan around both internal and external factors. A SWOT analysis gives us a better understanding of our current position as well as how to better plan for the future using our competitive advantage.
Figure 2. Oncurex SWOT Analysis
Porter's Five Forces
This is a five-part analysis that evaluates the competitive environment of a market, looking at the power of other players including buyers, suppliers, firms in the same industry, and firms in adjacent markets.
Business Model Canvas
Key Activities
There are several key activities that will be crucial for Team Cornell's ambition to take Oncurex from concept to commercialization. One such activity will be receiving FDA and EMA approval for ursolic acid (UA) for use in anti-cancer therapeutics. To navigate the complexity of this process, we aim to collaborate closely with these regulatory organizations, which will be instrumental in advancing the approval process of UA. In order for Oncurex to realize its full potential, it is crucial that UA gain this approval. In addition, we will need to secure the necessary funding for the industrial scale-up of our operations. We have already been successful in securing financial support through sponsorships, grants, and donations, and we will continue to utilize these fundraising resources in the future, in addition to pursuing additional avenues for funding. This will allow us to establish the infrastructure required for manufacturing ursolic acid at an industrial scale. Additionally, we plan to dive further into the marketing of Oncurex to maximize our visibility within the biopharmaceutical industry's oncology sector. These activities will be vital in Oncurex's evolution into a fully-fledged business.
Key Resources
Our team's most crucial resources are the unique ursolic acid biosynthesis process inherent to Oncurex. As we have mentioned, the sustainable and cost-effective nature of Oncurex is crucial in setting it apart from other UA extraction methods. In addition to this, the existing structure of our team, including leads, members, and advisors, serves as a vital asset that has enabled us to pursue this project thus far. This includes the lab space and equipment that Cornell University has provided us for our R&D process, as well as the extensive knowledge and support of the Cornell staff, including professors, graduate students, and research labs. Through this support, our team has developed extensive knowledge on patenting, research & development, and sales. As for financial support, organizations within Cornell such as the College of Engineering and the Institute of Biotechnology have already provided their support. We believe that we will be able to count on further support from Cornell in the future as we progress toward upscaling the Oncurex process. Furthermore, to aid us with the upscaling process and enhance our intellectual property and sales potential, we plan to continue our relationship with Cornell Institute of Biotechnology, utilizing it as a business incubator, and potentially also reach out to Flagship Pioneering in the future.
Key Partners
Our partners will be crucial in the process of upscaling Oncurex. Key partners with whom our team has already established relationships include sponsors such as Promega, the Cornell Engineering Alumni Association (CEAA), and Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT). Promega and the CEAA have already provided our team with financial support and gifts in kind, and IDT has provided us with. Additionally, being associated with well-known and reputable biotechnology firms such as Promega and IDT will continue to enhance our reputation and credibility in the future. Another key partner with whom our team has already established a relationship is the Center for Life Science Ventures within the Cornell Institute of Biotechnology. As we seek to upscale and expand Oncurex, this office can provide us with consulting services, mentorship, supply chain development, and extensive access to additional laboratory space.
Partners that will aid us in the transition from a project team to a functioning business will be the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and New York State Licensing Services will aid us in further development and protection of our intellectual property and ensuring that we are in compliance with all relevant regulations. As we advance, our strategy includes licensing the Oncurex process to established pharmaceutical companies, with whom we will have cultivated strong partnerships. Further details on this licensing are elaborated upon in the “Exit Strategy” and “Future Plans” sections of our business plan.
Value Proposition
The value of Oncurex lies in ursolic acid’s unprecedented potential to play a role in lifting the burden of cancer, one of the leading causes of death globally, off the backs of millions of people worldwide. The traditional process of extracting UA from plants, such as loquats and apples, requires massive land and water resources while deriving a low yield, making it very cost-ineffective and wasteful. Oncurex presents value in two clear ways. Primarily, the genetic manipulation of yeast for the production of ursolic acid offers a more sustainable approach than traditional extraction methods, along with a higher yield of UA itself. In addition to helping preserve crucial ecosystems, our focus on sustainability will aid our image in the public eye in a future where ESG standards are increasingly important to companies and consumers, this will enhance our image in the public eye. Additionally, the integration of our biosensor and bioreactor is what sets Oncurex apart from other ursolic acid extraction in terms of cost-effectiveness. Overall, Oncurex promises a future in which the production of UA can be upscaled to match its expected future demand in higher levels of purity while also minimizing damage to the environment.
Customer Relationships
After completing the process of upscaling our production of UA, selling ursolic acid directly to pharmaceutical companies that are currently in the process of developing anti-cancer drugs will be our primary source of revenue. After serving as a UA supplier and establishing strong relationships with these companies, we plan to license the sustainable, cost-effective UA production process inherent to Oncurex to these companies and/or other UA manufacturers. As an indirect customer, cancer patients will be end-users of the drugs that use our ursolic acid. Maintaining close relationships with both types of customers will be crucial for us, and we plan to do so through our various social channels which are detailed further below.
Customer Segments
Primarily, the pharmaceutical companies that are currently in the process of conducting research on ursolic acid’s viability for use in cancer therapeutics will serve as our main customers. During our development as a company and once we have completed the process of upscaling, we plan to sell directly to these pharmaceutical companies, allowing us to forge close partnerships with them over time. Additionally, cancer patients will be our customers in an indirect manner, as they would utilize the anti-cancer drugs produced by the pharmaceutical companies that utilize our sustainably and cost-effectively produced ursolic acid.
Channels
Team Cornell is exceptionally well-positioned to leverage a wide array of channels to raise awareness about Oncurex's mission and goals. Our direct access to oncology researchers, cancer physicians, and patients has enabled us to hold many insightful interviews that have shaped and informed the development of Oncurex. Additional channels that would help us facilitate our goals regarding Oncurex are the expansive Cornell University professional and academic network, our social media platforms, and the Ithaca community at events such as farmers’ markets. Furthermore, the sponsorship of key firms, such as Promega, IDT, Twist Bioscience, MathWorks, Bio Basic, and Corning, provides us credibility within the pharmaceutical industry and the broader life sciences research community.
Revenue Streams
Oncurex will capitalize on both immediate and long-term opportunities within the pharmaceutical industry for revenue. In the short term, our primary revenue stream will be generated through direct arrangements and deals with pharmaceutical companies. We plan to focus on the sale of the ursolic acid that we produce directly to these companies. Looking to the future, our long term strategy regarding revenue streams is centered on the licensing of Oncurex’s UA production process to pharmaceutical companies who are engaged in active oncology research and other firms producing ursolic acid. This licensing approach ensures a steady stream of revenue in the future, and also drives home the crucial importance of protecting our intellectual property today.
Cost Structure
Our expenses can be broken down into several categories. Primarily, costs have already arisen from our intellectual property protection and R&D. These are expenses that we have already incurred and will continue to do so throughout the process of upscaling. Next is the cost of our upscaling plan. This will include all of the expenses we incur in the process of scaling up our ursolic acid production to an industrial scale. Once our industrial scale up process is underway and completed, we will then need to allocate funds for marketing and employee salaries.
Supply Chain
The success of Oncurex’s mission hinges on a robust and agile supply chain. Our aim is to ensure a seamless flow from the procurement of raw materials to the delivery of UA to our partners.
Procurement
In order to synthetically mass produce UA in the highest yield and purity and at the lowest cost, genetically modified yeast is used. The initial yeast strain, SEY6210, will be procured from the American Type Culture Collection and more yeast can be grown from this initial strain. In order to sustain the growth of our yeast cultures in the bioreactor, a liquid media will be needed. Components of the liquid media such as glucose, yeast extract, and peptone will be bought from reputable research material supplier companies such as Thermo Fisher Scientific.
Production
The production of UA will be done in-house with a Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor. The yeast will be in the liquid media of the bioreactor with new liquid media entering the bioreactor to replenish the depleted media. At the same time, an exit stream is extracted from the bioreactor to maintain a consistent volume within the reactor and extract the UA. Integrated with the bioreactor is a biosensor, capable of measuring the concentration of UA. This approach will allow to adjust conditions as needed to provide an optimal environment for the UA production
Distribution
Our distribution strategy is focused on providing high-quality UA to pharmaceutical companies and research groups for manufacturing and drug development with the end goal of our UA reaching the hands of cancer patients in the form of an oncological drug. Our distribution strategy is centered on online sales on our website and by our dedicated sales team. Our sales team will form close relationships with users such as universities, cancer centers, and pharmaceutical companies to ensure customer satisfaction. In order to guarantee smooth distribution, we will be integrating an advanced supply chain management software system that will automate, streamline, and optimize everything from order processing, storage, and delivery to optimize fulfillment.
Storage
Although UA is stable at room temperature and humidity, it is essential UA is stored properly to maintain its optimal quality. Our UA will be sealed in sealed glass bottles right after manufacturing and stored in our state-of-the-art storage facilities designed to meet all regulatory requirements. They will be stored in a temperature and humidity-controlled environment. An HVAC system will be used to ensure the temperature range remains within the optimal range for UA of 20-22°C (68°F – 72°F). Additionally, the relative humidity will be regulated to be maintained below 60% to prevent any moisture-related problems. This careful and meticulous storage approach will ensure only high-quality products are delivered to our customers.
Finances
Unit costs:
Wet Lab FinancesProduct Development Finances
E factor Calculation
To find the mass of the total product we used the Michaelis-Menten equation:
where Vmax is the maximum reaction rate of the reaction, [S]] is the substrate concentration, and K_m is a constant describing the concentration of the substrate to achieve 0.5Vmax.
The relationship between Vmax and Vmax = kcat*[Et], where [Et] is the total enzyme concentration and kcat is a constant describing the turnover of the substrate.
Since there are two steps from 2,3-oxidosqualene to ursolic acid, we found the rate-limiting step of these two steps, which is the last step—converting α-amyrin to ursolic acid. This is because the amount of Cytochrome P450 found in yeast cells is relatively low - around 200-1000 molecules are found per yeast cell. Thus, we will be basing the reaction rate of the entire reaction through this specific step.
The approximate amount of Cytochrome P450 (\([E_t]\)) in yeast cells was calculated as such:
Now that [Et] is known, we can calculate Vmax using known kcat values for Cytochrome P450 of 35 min^-1.
Next, we found the substrate concentration [S] by determining that there is around 100-300 mg/L of α-amyrin typically found in engineered yeast strains.
We need to convert the units to µM by utilizing the molar mass of α-amyrin:
Now that [S], [Et], and Vmax are known, we can calculate v since K_m for Cytochrome P450 was found to be 24.5 µM.
Now we need to calculate µM to milligrams of product produced over 16 hours of yeast cell growth using the molar mass of ursolic acid:
Mass of total product = 0.024626 mg.
Mass of total waste = 0.00035g of Yeast Cells used
PMI Calculation
Figure 6. PMI Formula
PMI = E factor+1[8]
PMI = 14.0+1
PMI = 15.0
Industrial Scale-Up[42]
Figure 7. Industrial Scale Calculation
Intellectual Property
While ursolic acid itself is not a patentable compound due to its natural occurrence, our innovative approach to its production offers multiple avenues for intellectual property protection, the cornerstone of any product’s commercial success. The gene for UA production is extracted from plants, consolidated into plasmids, and transformed into yeast. No part of this process is patentable as it is naturally occurring.
Cornell iGEM has filed a provisional patent for our Amperometric Biosensor Integrated into a Bioreactor to Quantify ursolic acid Production[21]. The patent will specifically protect our three-electrode ammeter circuit that will quantify the ursolic acid concentration within the bioreactor through differential binding to a recognition element on the working electrode. The biosensor is integral to the success of Oncurex, as the data provided will allow for the optimization of the bioreactor’s environment to ensure that the ursolic acid being produced is of the highest purity at the lowest cost.
Given our current “patent pending” status, the concept of Cornell iGEM’s proprietary biosensor is protected for 12 months, during which we plan to refine our design and processes before submitting a utility patent application.
Stakeholder Analysis
Pharma Companies
Pharmaceutical companies would benefit from the ability to purchase higher quality ursolic acid for use in the manufacturing of proprietary drugs for further sale in the cancer pharmaceutical market. A large problem in the development of UA-based oncological drugs, most of which are stuck in Phase I clinical trials, is due to the bioavailability of the UA, needing modifications. The intense difficulty in modifying UA is a substantial barrier due to cost. Oncurex has the potential to lower these research and development costs and if these trials succeed, lower the cost of drug production. Additionally, it allows for pharmaceutical companies to improve their ESG score as current UA production relies on harvesting plants, leaves, fruits, etc.
Patients
Patients would benefit from greater access to potentially lifesaving drugs that will allow them to live longer lives. Oncurex will enable mass production of UA that will lower the cost of R&D and drug manufacturing which will allow Pharmaceutical companies to pass the savings down to the patients. Contributes to widespread accessibility due to relative increased affordability. UA-based drugs are still stuck in Phase I which terminally ill patients participate in to advance science. There may be a variety of side effects associated with UA-based drugs as high concentrations of UA may have cytotoxic effects on healthy tissue.
Doctors
Doctors would benefit from having a potentially more effective tool to treat cancer patients. Oncurex’s mass production of UA will allow for the widespread availability of UA-based drugs. Doctors will have to be aware and be able to treat potential serious side effects of UA and UA-based drugs.
Research
Researchers would benefit from having affordable higher quality ursolic acid for usage in research projects. May allow for further advancements in modifications of UA for UA-based drugs for oncology advancements and push past this rut of Phase I trials.
Hospitals
Hospitals would benefit from being able to treat patients more effectively. Hospitals must ensure their consistent access to UA-based drugs, Oncurex can alleviate the stress on the pharmaceutical supply chain by ensuring consistent, affordable, high-purity UA. Hospitals may face liability from administering UA-based drugs due to potential serious side effects of UA drugs.
Insurance Companies
If UA-based drugs are approved for cancer treatment by regulatory bodies, ursolic acid drugs will be in use meaning private insurers will have to cover the cost of the drug and treatment. Oncurex’s ability to mass produce UA will allow drug costs to be lower and insurance companies to spend less on the treatment of insureds suffering from certain cancers. If the ursolic acid drugs are more effective, this will also increase the likelihood of remission which removes the cost of covering the treatment of that cancer patient. Insurance may have to face a higher frequency of claims.
Government Organizations
Government loans/grants from the NIH are necessary for the research and development of UA-based drugs. Government regulatory bodies such as the FDA and the EMA will need to clear UA-based/derivative drugs for usage in treatment of cancer. Additional government policies such as medicare and Medicaid will need to consider if they will cover the cost of UA-based drug treatments. The mass production of UA will lower the price of UA drug prices which is an important consideration for Medicare’s negotiation of drug prices.
NGOs/Advocacy Groups
The ursolic acid production route promoted by Oncurix is performed exclusively by the loquat, apple, rosemary, and basil farming industry; the current source of ursolic acid is unsustainable due to the low yield of current production methods. If UA-based drugs are approved the current supply of UA needs to be greatly expanded. This current method can’t be significantly scaled up without generating significant emissions which could encourage climate and sustainability groups to support Oncurex’s success. Cancer Nonprofits and charities may also benefit from the increase in ursolic acid biologicals due to the lower cost of UA for research and drug production.
Current Manufacturing
The successful development of Oncurex would represent a substantial loss of revenue for current UA producers using current methods. Intermediaries in the raw pharmaceutical ingredient supply chain such as distribution can be reintegrated into our supply chain.
Oncurex Owners, Employees, Investors
Oncurex owners, employees, and investors will directly benefit from Oncurex’s success because Oncurex's failure will result in a loss of investment or employment for this group.
Competitor Analysis
Alfa Aesar
They are a subsidiary of Thermo Fisher Scientific, is a material and reagent production firm that specializes in the production of high-quality inputs for research use. They currently sell 95% pure ursolic acid in 0.25 or 1-gram quantities for $122.65 or $409.00 respectively[34].
Tokyo Chemical Industry
They are a global chemical manufacturing firm with a large US branch that currently operates within the ursolic acid production space. They currently sell ursolic acid with a 90% purity in 0.1 gram and 1 gram quantities for $73.00 and $373.00[31].
Enzo Life Sciences
They are a large biotech and pharmaceutical company that sells 90% pure ursolic acid in 0.25-gram units for $239.00[32].
MP Biomedicals
They are a large research input manufacturing firm with a stake in the domestic ursolic acid market. They currently sell 0.1 and 0.5-gram quantities of 97% pure ursolic acid for $117.75 and $341.45 respectively[24].
MilliporeSigma
They are a subsidiary of Sigma-Aldrich that currently sells the highest purity commercial ursolic acid in the US market, at 98% purity. While maintaining the highest purity, they sell only in 0.05-gram quantities for $94.81[33].
Risk Assessment
All activities and phases we undergo, carry with them, innate risk. In this section, we closely analyze the risks associated with each step of our business plan and discuss potential solutions to mitigate these risks.
Future Plans
All activities and phases we undergo, carry with them, innate risk. In this section, we closely analyze the risks associated with each step of our business plan and discuss potential solutions to mitigate these risks.
Future Plans Timeline
Team Cornell is exceptionally well positioned for transitioning Oncurex from proof of concept to full commercialization by 2034. In the immediate future, our participation in the 2024 iGEM Grand Jamboree will provide a platform to showcase our project and receive valuable feedback. Establishing a proof of concept between 2024 and 2026 will validate our approach. Simultaneously, we plan to complete the process of registering Oncurex as a company and protecting our intellectual property from 2025 to 2027. Throughout this period, our team will continue critical R&D and funding efforts to support Oncurex’s growth. Phase I trials of ursolic acid are currently underway, a stage which typically spans 12 to 18 months, enabling and informing Phase II trials, which typically take two to three years. We estimate that Phase II trials for UA will take place from 2025 to 2027. This would allow Phase III trials to begin in 2027 and last until 2031, as this stage typically takes four years, reflecting the extensive testing involved in this phase. In about 2028, after Oncurex has been registered as a company and we have protected our IP, we plan to begin the process of upscaling Oncurex’s production of UA to an industrial scale. We are forecasting this process to take three years, concluding in 2031. Following our projected conclusion of Phase III trials for UA in 2031, we estimate that Phase IV trials will begin in 2032 and last until 2035, as this phase typically lasts between four to five years. By 2035, we anticipate seeing UA gain FDA approval, positioning Oncurex to begin selling our UA to pharmaceutical companies at an industrial scale from 2036 through 2040 and beyond. At this point, Oncurex will be a well-established player in the oncology market. Additionally, one of the major reasons UA is currently being held up in Phase I Trials is the lack of funding for an expensive process, which our project aims to solve by providing a cheaper, biosynthetic process. By starting early, Oncurex will be able to help UA through FDA approval as a cancer drug while providing a robust bioprocess method.
Exit Strategy
The long-term exit strategy for Oncurex centers around leveraging its patents for novel biosensor and bioreactor technologies by licensing them to major incumbent pharmaceutical companies in exchange for royalties. This approach allows Oncurex to capitalize on its intellectual property without the large capital expenditures required to continuously build and maintain industrial-scale facilities. Although Oncurex can initially scale its own manufacturing to achieve economies of scale, this process would also act as a proof of concept for established active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturers, making them more likely to license Oncurex’s technology. This strategy would combine Oncurex’s technological edge with the existing production infrastructure and distribution networks of established players such as AbbVie, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Teva Pharmaceuticals, and Cipla Incorporated, among others. This model creates a steady revenue stream for Oncurex through recurring royalty payouts while minimizing the logistical and operational costs associated with indefinite in-house production.
Dream Map
As Team Cornell looks to expand Oncurex across the US, there are strategic dream locations where it can deliver the greatest value for pharmaceutical companies and cancer patients. This Dream Map was created to visualize key areas as part of the expansion and marketing plan for Oncurex, split by research, clinical trials, and manufacturing. Cancer resources in each location were considered as potential future collaborators in producing ursolic acid and furthering its progress to get into the hands of industries via licensing and eventually patients. Furthermore, each location is or is close to a major metropolis, providing us easy access to large amounts of people for education, outreach, and breaking into our serviceable obtainable market.
Ithaca, NY - Headquarters
Ithaca has been the home of Cornell iGEM since its founding in 2009. To keep close to our roots and the birthplace of Oncurex, Ithaca, NY will be our headquarters along with being where the base R&D and manufacturing of ursolic acid would occur. With current collaborations from local resource centers such as the Ithaca Breast Cancer Alliance and the Ithaca Cancer Resource Center, this location is great for directly impacting the local community and completing outreach on the impact of ursolic acid. As done this year, outreach can also continue at the Syracuse MakerFaire, New York's largest event to bring together scientific innovators. Furthermore, it is also close to one of the largest cancer research centers, the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, allowing for potential collaboration on furthering the research of ursolic acid on breast cancer.
Cambridge, MA - Secondary Research Center
Cambridge and Boston are known as two of the “hearts” of biotech research. This location is a staple for event marketing to pharmaceutical companies to hear about what Oncurex can do and also hosts another large cancer research center within Harvard University. Team Cornell's human practices have already started within this location via attending the annual MIT x Harvard Future of Biology Conference; having a location in this area will serve as a continuation of research and outreach for anti-cancer natural products.
Houston, TX - Manufacturing
With the MD Anderson Cancer Center being one of the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) comprehensive cancer centers, it is a high potential collaborator for breast cancer treatment. With their expertise in cancer prevention, treatment, and research along with a large amount of open space in Texas, Houston becomes a dream location for Oncurex.
San Francisco, CA - Manufacturing and Outreach
Another heart of biotech and medical devices! This location has many companies focused on biotech which can be utilized as part of our event marketing strategy and educate the public about UA along the way. Less than an hour away is the Bay Area Cancer Connections in San Mateo, CA which already offers support to cancer patients. Potentially collaborating with them allows for outreach outside of Oncurex's home base on the East Coast while manufacturing UA to be used in anti-cancer drugs in support of other cancer treatments.
Seattle, WA - Manufacturing
Continuing our goal to get ursolic acid into the hands of pharmaceutical companies and ultimately cancer patients, it's natural to seek to partner with partner facilities of the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Within Seattle, this can be accomplished through connecting with the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. Dedicated to the elimination of cancer, the center would align closely with Oncurex's goals to streamline the biosynthesis of an anti-cancer natural product such as ursolic acid. The location itself also has a thriving biotech presence.
Bethesda, MD - Clinical Research
While biomanufacturing is the focus of Oncurex, Team Cornell understands that the path to getting ursolic acid into the hands of patients requires many steps, including more clinical trials. With the National Institute of Health (NIH) headquarters based in Bethesda, MD, and being close to the capital of the United States (Washington, DC), Oncurex can be set to provide a location to assist in clinical trials at one of the world's foremost medical research centers. A location in this area allows for an easier time to have a close relationship with a government center and raise potential for funding. Being a life science hub, Bethesda is added to Oncurex's Dream Map.
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