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This version of NSU News has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of NSU News, visit news.nova.edu.
This version of SharkBytes has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of SharkBytes, visit sharkbytes.nova.edu.
NSU Pharmaceutical Researcher Receives Japanese Patent for Developing New Cancer Treatment
Appu Rathinavelu, Ph.D.
Appu Rathinavelu, Ph.D., associate dean for institutional planning and development at Nova Southeastern University’s (NSU) College of Pharmacy, and executive director of NSU’s Rumbaugh-Goodwin Institute for Cancer Research, received a Japanese patent for developing a novel cancer treatment.
The small organic molecule called “JFD” that he and his team discovered is anti-angiogenic, meaning it “starves” tumors and other cancer cells by preventing blood flow that supplies the tumors with oxygen and nutrients that would otherwise help them to grow and survive. This molecule is less expensive to manufacture, stable in storage, expected to be less toxic, and is more effective against solid tumors. It is specifically designed to battle breast, ovarian, prostate, lung and colorectal cancers.
“I am really proud to be a part of high quality drug research that can benefit people in many areas of the world,” said Rathinavelu. “This patent will help us as we pursue approval of this treatment for use with patients battling cancer in Japan.”
The title of the patent is “Small Molecule for Anti-Angiogenesis” (Japanese patent 5436544 B). Rathinavelu previously received a United States patent for this development (U.S. patent 7,875,603 B2).
Rathinavelu’s research efforts toward this discovery were partially funded by the Royal Dames of Cancer Research Inc. of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and a grant from the Florida Atlantic University Center of Excellence in Biomedical and Marine Biotechnology, awarded by the Florida Department of Education.
“To see research conducted at Nova Southeastern University potentially benefit people halfway across the globe is incredibly fulfilling and demonstrates our commitment to developing innovations that go beyond geographic boundaries,” said Gary S. Margules, Sc.D., NSU vice president for research and technology transfer.
In addition to the aforementioned patents for discovering JFD, Rathinavelu holds a U.S. patent for discovering a molecule called “F16” (U.S. patent 7,939,557 B2) that is more potent and is specifically designed to combat breast cancer cells.
Rathinavelu has published more than 40 peer-reviewed research articles, served on the editorial board of several scientific journals and committees, co-authored a text book and given more than 75 presentations at national and international conferences.
Rathinavelu received his Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Madras in India and conducted his postdoctoral training at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind. In 1992, he joined the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Southeastern University’s College of Pharmacy, which merged with Nova to become Nova Southeastern University in 1994. He currently serves as associate dean for institutional planning and development at NSU’s College of Pharmacy, and executive director of NSU’s Rumbaugh-Goodwin Institute for Cancer Research.