Dr. Andrei Gartel received UIC Proof of Concept Award
Andrei Gartel Heading link
Dr. Gartel, associate professor of molecular genetics, was one of seven faculty in the health sciences to receive the UIC Proof of Concept Award. The UIC Proof of Concept (POC) Awards Program aims to accelerate the commercialization of technologies being developed at UIC by helping to bridge the funding gap that often exists between translational research and commercialization. The program provides up to $200,000 per project over two phases to advance UIC innovations.
The title of Dr. Gartel’s proposal “A novel FOXM1 inhibitor against human cancer”. The concept is “The identification of novel therapeutic strategies for human cancer is needed. The transcription factor FOXM1 is overexpressed in the majority of human cancers and it plays a critical role in chemo-resistance of these cancers. “Recently, we identified a novel compound STL001 that specifically inhibits FOXM1 expression and sensitizes cancer cells to anticancer treatment. We will test STL001 in combination with anticancer drugs in cell lines and mouse models of cancer,” said Gartel. Completion of this proposal will confirm the notion that FOXM1-induced chemoresistance in human cancer cells is critical for negative outcomes of treatment and demonstrate that novel specific FOXM1 inhibitor STL001 will sensitize cancer cells to anticancer drugs directing favorable outcomes to patients in future. This proposal will start preclinical development of this drug.
Successful completion of the POC Awards program often leads to additional funding opportunities and enables UIC researchers to continue towards commercialization and may eventually lead to the creation of a startup company.
Congratulations Dr. Gartel!