PROCERTUS BIOPHARM: IMPROVING THE LIVES OF CANCER PATIENTS
Research Digest
SCIENCE IN BUSINESS
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy frequently produce side effects, including mouth sores, skin burns and hair loss. The side effects can have a major impact on cancer patients’ quality of life, and at times can limit the effectiveness of treatment. Until recently, there was no way to avoid these by-products of cancer treatment. But now, millions of patients may be spared the pain, discomfort and stress, thanks to the efforts of William Fahl, PhD, an SMPH professor of oncology.
Based at the UW Paul P. Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center’s McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, Fahl (at left) has created a Madison-based pharmaceutical company, called ProCertus BioPharm, which is developing topically-applied products to reduce or eliminate the side effects most often associated with cancer therapy. The first in a series of clinical trials testing the safety and efficacy of the drugs in humans, to be conducted by SMPH oncologist James Cleary, MD, will begin in June.