Wayne State University professors Sandro da Rocha and Steven Firestine recently received funding from the Michigan Universities Commercialization Initiative Challenge Fund (MUCI). 

Dr. da Rocha, assistant professor of Chemical Engineering and Material Sciences in the College of Engineering was awarded $98,274 to research novel propellant-driven formulations for the delivery of therapeutic molecules to and through the lungs. This research will be carried out in collaboration with Dr. David Bassett, professor of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences in the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. 

This cutting-edge research represents a novel, environmentally friend approach to formulate therapeutic molecules in pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs) that could significantly enhance the delivery of drugs currently being marketed with pMDIs and opens up a possibility for local and systemic delivery of a broad range of other therapeutic molecules (including biomolecules) to and through the lungs.  The research is potentially relevant in the treatment of not only chronic pulmonary disorders such as asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema, but also in the treatment of other clinically relevant diseases including lung cancer, cystic fibrosis, tuberculosis and others.

Dr. Firestine, assistant professor of Pharmaceutical Science in the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences was awarded $25,000 from MUCI to conduct critical studies into the activity of agents in animal models of bacterial infection.  These studies will consist of pharmacodynamic studies to determine whether the agents function in animal models of infection and toxicology studies.  With the growing problem of antibiotic-resistant infections, there is a critical need to develop and commercialize new antibiotics.  Dr. Firestine’s lab has recently discovered a class of compounds which possess good activity against key antiobiotic resistant infections such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Both projects have great licensing potential and may attract investment for the establishment of a new company in the near future!