Dr. Tingan Chen examines protein signatures in lung cancer. |
Moffitt Cancer Center opened the doors in March 2009 on a facility to house a research initiative of the largest-scale cancer genetic profiling effort ever attempted. Called M2Gen, the 100,000-square-foot building is the focal point of an international initiative that combines molecular profiling and a clinical response database. The ultimate goal is to improve cancer prevention and treatment by using molecular technology to enhance the ability to diagnose and treat patients.
Through this and other unprecedented endeavors, Moffitt is helping strengthen Florida’s scientific research base, contributing to Florida’s economy through commercial enterprise and providing a critical opportunity to directly accelerate the translation of basic science discoveries into personalized cancer treatments. It’s all designed around a pioneering concept called Total Cancer Care™, which focuses on meeting the needs of cancer patients and their families during their lifetimes — and for future generations.
M2Gen
M2Gen is a whollyowned subsidiary of Moffitt, located on the cancer center’s McKinley campus in Tampa. Supported by the state of Florida, Hillsborough County and the city of Tampa, this groundbreaking venture is expected to accelerate the growing biotechnology industry in the Tampa Bay region. Since its inception, the company has created more than 114 direct jobs, primarily in the scientific, professional and information technology areas.
Moffitt researchers, in collaboration with a network of more than 16 healthcare partners statewide and throughout the U.S., are molecularly profiling tumor tissues from thousands of cancer patients to identify unique genetic “fingerprints” that are predicted to inform therapy. By linking the molecular profile with clinical outcomes, researchers hope to generate evidence that can be used to create a personalized treatment tailored to a particular tumor.
To date, more than 30,000 patients have joined the Total Cancer Care study; 9,500 tumors have been sampled; and 6,500 tumors have been fully profiled, with that number expected to reach 10,000 by the end of 2009.
Commercialization of other discoveries continues through Moffitt’s Office of Technology Management and Licensing. More recent ventures include:
» Protecel LLC, the first small company to spin out from Moffitt. It is formed around a technology that increases the efficiency of delivering DNA and genetic material into cells for a variety of applications.
» Lyndor Biosciences LLC, a startup company formed around a small molecule (drug) technology licensed from Moffitt, which inhibits the AKT protein. AKT is involved in many cancer types.
» Frantz BioMarkers LLC, of Ohio, plans to produce a clinical test based on research conducted by Dr. Rebecca Sutphen, who has been studying lysophospholipids as biomarkers for use in diagnosing or treating ovarian cancer. The company licensed Moffitt’s rights in these markers for use as in vitro diagnostics.
Economic impact
Moffitt’s economic impact on the Tampa Bay area is substantial. In 2008 alone, operations and capital investments generated more than $1 billion in total economic output and $24.8 million in state and local tax revenue. Florida collected an estimated $1.85 for each dollar of state funding provided to Moffitt in that same year.
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Dr. James Mulé
Executive Vice President, Applied Research
Michael McGillicuddy Endowed Chair
Melanoma Research and Treatment
(813) 745-1536
www.moffitt.org
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The center’s M2Gen project is expected to create an estimated 6,375 jobs in the anticipated three-year build-out, representing 3,572 direct and 2,803 indirect jobs. The facilities will house 1,200 new, high-paying, permanent jobs in the health and biotech sector.
Moffitt is focused on one mission — the prevention and cure of cancer. The overriding purpose of its biotechnology efforts is to discover treatments that will cure cancer or turn it into a manageable chronic disease.
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