Background

Platinum-based antineoplastic drugs have been used since the late 1970s, although they sometimes show significant nephro- and neurotoxicity; research in the field has been exploring other potential transition metals, among which came into view ruthenium and gold compounds and, only recently, palladium compounds.

An advantage of the Palladium derivatives with respect to the Platinum homologs is their greater solubility in water, while a contraindication is their lower inertia, which may have the negative repercussions on their stability in the biological environment.

Technology Overview

A new extended class of palladium compounds, that includes vinyl and butadienyl fragments, could be used as innovative chemotherapeutic molecules against various types of cancers, to achieve targeted, efficient and non-toxic anti-cancer drugs, thus limiting the typical side effects of treatments with cisplatin or related compounds.

The compounds identified by the Ca’ Foscari University of Venice team (TRL 3) proved to have efficient antitumor action with high cytotoxic effects on cancer cells, even higher than cisplatin, and a poor toxicity on cells extracted from healthy tissues. In vitro tests show high stability and an effective anti-proliferating activity on some of the most aggressive tumours, such as ovarian, colon and breast cancer. The new class of compounds exhibits very promising results without presenting the side effects of toxicity found with cisplatin. Moreover, the patented reaction of synthesis is very fast and takes place under mild and very reproducible conditions.

Further preclinical and clinical tests will better define their potential and may be the prelude to a new generation of anti-cancer drugs with extremely reduced side effects. It will be possible to produce highly efficient drugs in the form of intravenous, intramuscular or subcutaneous solutions, pills or tablets.

Benefits

High anti-proliferative activity
Antitumor efficacy higher than that of cisplatin or other palladium compounds
Limited toxicity for healthy cells
Simple and reproducible synthesis protocol

Applications

Anti-cancer drugs, which can be administered intravenously (most frequently), intramuscularly or subcutaneously.
Anti-cancer drugs, which can be administered orally via pills or tablets.

Opportunity

Open to collaborative projects to further develop the technology and/or licensing.

Anti-Cancer Efficient and Non-Toxic Palladium Compounds

IP Status

Seeking