Cancer Supercluster launched

Colorado State University last month announced its second Supercluster, focused on cancer research and treatment, and NeoTREX, the corresponding business enterprise that will speed the transition of life-saving cancer research from the academic world to the global marketplace.

"By focusing our resources and providing improved avenues for the University’s brilliant minds in cancer research to work together, we optimize our ability to make a difference on a level that reaches individuals, families, communities, and countries that struggle with this relentless disease," said Colorado State President Larry Edward Penley.

The announcement follows the February launch of the University’s first Supercluster and enterprise, MicroRx, which is focused on infectious disease research. CSU’s Superclusters connect academic researchers, economists, and business experts to encourage interdisciplinary research that addresses great global challenges and to bridge the vastly different worlds of business and academia.

Partnering to prevent cancer

The cancer Supercluster, a collaboration of the CSU colleges of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Natural Sciences, Applied Human Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, and Engineering, builds on the University’s 35 years of excellence in cancer research.

Colorado State in August announced Dr. Terry Opgenorth as the chief operating officer for NeoTREX. He will also serve as the chief operating officer of MicroRx. Opgenorth joins the University after 20 years with Abbott Laboratories’ Global Pharmaceutical Research and Development, where he most recently served as divisional vice president of drug discovery overseeing antiviral research, metabolic disease research, and target-lead discovery research.

The academic side of the Supercluster will be led by world-renowed oncologist and surgeon Dr. Stephen Withrow, director of CSU’s internationally esteemed Animal Cancer Center. Dr. Robert Ullrich, current director of research in oncology for the University’s Animal Cancer Center and a professor in the Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, will serve as director of research.

"Cancer continues to be one of the most devastating diseases on the globe, with a high cost to life and quality of life," said Tony Frank, CSU provost and senior vice president. "The University’s multi-disciplinary programs in cancer research, along with numerous partnerships with the world’s top cancer research centers, position the University to prevent cancer around the world."

Streamlining research and technology

Technology transfer programs at research universities guide scientists through the process of patenting and other complexities encountered in delivering discoveries to the global market. But Colorado State's Superclusters model is unique with a multidisciplinary structure that enables groundbreaking research to move to market more quickly.

Business leaders in the biomedical field have welcomed the Superclusters model, which streamlines access to new research and technology.

The cancer Supercluster’s chief operating officer will focus on forging business alliances and developing new opportunities for the results of that research, while the technology transfer specialist will seek opportunities for patents, licenses, and start-ups. The team also will seek private equity investors for new business opportunities.