Rosalind Franklin University's Helix 51 Incubator Welcomes Monopar Therapeutics

Rhea-AI Summary

Monopar Therapeutics has joined Rosalind Franklin University's Helix 51 biomedical incubator community. The clinical-stage biotech company is developing personalized radiopharmaceuticals for cancer diagnosis and treatment, along with a late-stage drug for Wilson Disease.

The company will utilize Helix 51's labs and resources to advance its research objectives. Radiopharmaceuticals, which selectively target cancer cells with radioisotopes, are important in nuclear medicine, enabling precise diagnosis and treatment while minimizing damage to healthy tissues.

Helix 51 is Lake County, Illinois' only wet-and dry-lab based incubator, situated in a region hosting over 122 bioscience companies and 33,000 bioscience jobs. The facility is part of RFU's Innovation and Research Park, which offers research space and core facilities for drug, device, and diagnostic R&D.

Positive

• Access to advanced research facilities and resources through Helix 51 incubator
• Strategic location in major bioscience hub with 122+ companies
• Additional research support available from RFU's specialized research centers

Negative

• None.

Insights

Biotech Research Analyst

This strategic move positions Monopar Therapeutics to accelerate its development pipeline through multiple synergistic advantages. The Helix 51 incubator provides important wet-lab infrastructure and specialized equipment that typically requires significant capital investment, allowing Monopar to allocate resources more efficiently toward actual research and development.

The location within Lake County's biotech cluster, home to 122 bioscience companies and 33,000 bioscience jobs, offers compelling advantages: access to specialized talent, potential research collaborations and proximity to major pharmaceutical companies. The radiopharmaceutical market is experiencing rapid growth, with recent research highlighting improved efficiency in tumor diagnosis and therapy. This field's expansion is driven by increasing demand for targeted cancer treatments that minimize collateral damage to healthy tissue.

Particularly noteworthy is the access to RFU's research centers, specifically the Center for Cancer Cell Biology, Immunology and Infection and the Center for Genetic Diseases. These resources could significantly expedite both:

• The development of their radiopharmaceutical pipeline for advanced solid tumors
• The progression of ALXN1840 for Wilson Disease

The collaborative environment at Helix 51, combined with the comprehensive research support infrastructure, positions Monopar to potentially accelerate their development timelines while reducing operational costs. This strategic decision could enhance their competitive position in the rapidly evolving radiopharmaceutical space and rare disease markets.

Monopar's pipeline includes clinical-stage radiopharmaceuticals targeting advanced solid tumors and late-stage ALXN1840, a treatment for Wilson Disease 

NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., Jan. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science announced that Monopar Therapeutics is the latest biotech company to join the Helix 51 biomedical incubator community.

Monopar, a clinical-stage biotechnology firm, is developing personalized and precise radiopharmaceuticals to diagnose and treat aggressive cancers, and will utilize the labs and other resources in Helix 51 to further its research objectives.

"We are excited to be a part of the vibrant biomedical community at RFU," said Monopar COO Andrew Cittadine, MBA. "We see this as an opportunity to accelerate the development of new products and were drawn to the talented and collaborative community at Helix 51."

Radiopharmaceuticals — drugs that selectively target cancer and are linked with radioisotopes — are a key component of nuclear medicine. Rapid advancements in the field have significantly improved healthcare by enabling highly targeted diagnosis and treatment of diseases, particularly cancer, through the precise delivery of radiation directly to diseased tissues. The technique helps minimize damage to healthy organs, leading to earlier detection, more effective therapies and improved patient outcomes with fewer side effects.

An article published this month in the journal Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy hailed the technology's ability to "improve the efficiency and biosafety of tumour diagnosis and therapy."

Monopar is also working on a late-stage investigational drug for the treatment of Wilson Disease, a rare genetic disorder.

Helix 51 is the only wet-and dry-lab based incubator in Lake County, Illinois, which is home to more than 122 bioscience companies and 33,000 bioscience jobs. The university's Innovation and Research Park also provides research space to biotech and biopharma companies looking to grow. The IRP features numerous core facilities essential for drug, device and diagnostic research and development.

"Rosalind Franklin University is committed to expanding collaboration between academic research and the life-science industry to develop new therapeutic solutions for difficult-to-treat diseases," said Dr. Joseph DiMario, RFU interim vice president for research. "Our Center for Cancer Cell Biology, Immunology, and Infection and Center for Genetic Diseases can also provide additional research support and expertise to Monopar. We're pleased to include them in our growing oncology cluster of companies."

About Rosalind Franklin University
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science is committed to serving humanity through the interprofessional education of health and biomedical professionals and the discovery of knowledge dedicated to improving wellness. The university embodies the spirit of inquiry and excellence modeled by its namesake Dr. Rosalind Franklin, whose Photo 51 was crucial to solving the structure of DNA. Recognized for its research in areas including neuroscience, brain-related diseases, inherited disorders, diabetes, obesity, and gait and balance, RFU encompasses the Chicago Medical School, College of Health Professions, College of Nursing, College of Pharmacy, School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine. Learn more at rosalindfranklin.edu.

Office of Marketing and Communications
media@rosalindfranklin.edu

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rosalind-franklin-universitys-helix-51-incubator-welcomes-monopar-therapeutics-302358955.html

SOURCE Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science

FAQ

What is Monopar Therapeutics (MNPR) developing at Helix 51 incubator?

Monopar Therapeutics is developing personalized radiopharmaceuticals for cancer diagnosis and treatment, as well as a late-stage drug for Wilson Disease at the Helix 51 biomedical incubator.

How will joining Helix 51 benefit MNPR's research and development?

Joining Helix 51 provides MNPR access to advanced labs, research facilities, and a collaborative biomedical community, potentially accelerating their product development process.

What are the key focus areas of MNPR's radiopharmaceutical research?

MNPR's radiopharmaceutical research focuses on developing drugs that selectively target cancer cells with radioisotopes, enabling precise diagnosis and treatment while minimizing damage to healthy tissues.

What additional resources will be available to MNPR at Rosalind Franklin University?

MNPR will have access to RFU's Center for Cancer Cell Biology, Immunology, and Infection, Center for Genetic Diseases, and core facilities for drug, device, and diagnostic R&D.