NatSpears, a new company developing cancer-killing drugs, is entering Biomedical Incubator RAD-Ramot. The company’s pre-seed investment included $300,000 from the Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Industry and Trade and $110,000 from the Zisapel brothers, who own Biomedical Incubator RAD-Ramot.
BG Negev Technologies and Applications of Ben Gurion University of the Negev and Yissum Research Development Company of the Hebrew University founded NatSpears. BG Negev Technologies and Applications CEO Reuven Sadeh said that in addition to the two university applications companies, Dr. Angel Porgador of Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Dr. Ofer Mandelboim of the Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Medicine, and the Zisapel brothers were partners in the company.
NatSpears CEO Dr. Eyal Fima told “Globes” that in order to demonstrate feasibility, the company planned to finish the first phase of its trials on animals during the year, and would then begin to raise additional investments.
NatSpears develops new molecules to treat and diagnose common types of cancer. The company is currently focusing on two types of cancer: melanoma and prostate cancer. According to Fima, while existing drugs use antibodies to treat cancer, Natspears’ technology uses proteins with a much greater capacity to identify cancer cells. These proteins also have the same capabilities as antibodies to attack and destroy tumors.
Fima says the company is currently focusing on preparation for clinical trials, and hopes to cooperate with chemotherapeutical material manufacturers in developing a molecule that will effectively zero in on cancer cells.
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on October 22, 2002