RNAi Versus Cancer
From a News.com piece on this year's International Business Plan Competition: "SanoGene draws on a discovery by University of Illinois researcher Jasti Rao regarding a new technology called ribonucleic acid interference (RNAi), which blocks gene expression [by] preventing the formation of proteins. RNAi is so new only three companies are experimenting with drugs based on it, but none are targeting cancer. Unlike other drugs on the market, SanoGene's experimental drug targets multiple cell origins of brain tumors, blocking the invasion of cells into other tissue. So far, it has shown extremely positive results for the drug in animal models, according to its founders." It's an insight into what is presently seen as viable biotechnology for commercialization - RNAi today is just about where gene therapy was 10 or 15 years ago.