Sulforaphane, a small molecule of botanical origin, has previously shown significant clinical promise for treating some forms of cancer. However, it is highly unstable rendering it - until now - a nonviable pharmaceutical. In a significant technical breakthrough, Evgen is now able to stabilise a synthetic sulforaphane - extending shelf life from hours to years - thereby creating the first commercially viable pharmaceutical based upon the sulforaphane molecule; a patented composition called Sulforadex®.
Initially, Evgen are aiming to develop Sulforadex for early stage prostate cancer, where there are currently no pharmaceutical options that could either delay or negate radical interventions such as a prostectomy. With increased diagnosis there is now an acknowledged “over treatment” of prostate cancers, many of which could be best managed by "active surveillance" in parallel to a safe treatment such as Sulforadex. In addition to cancer, sulforaphane has been linked to the potential treatment of other medical conditions including: COPD, AMD, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
The Project relates specifically to the initiation and execution of a “first-in-man” trial on Sulforadex; the first time sulforaphane will have been tested in humans for safety. Furthermore, the Project will measure surrogate markers of disease (“biomarkers”) associated with anti-cancer activity yielding further intelligence prior to patient trials.