Engevity Inc has entered into a license agreement with The University of Florida Research Foundation Inc. The license grants Engevity exclusive global rights to develop Vigilant Vector, a unique genetic technology platform that can allow the body to monitor disease states and produce treatments on an as-needed basis, and two products that introduce a new generation of anti-hypertensive treatment based on anti-messenger RNA. Anti-messenger RNA reduces the overactive production of proteins involved in high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease in a highly specific way.

"Our Vigilant Vector-based product for cardio-protection offers the prospect of significantly reducing damage to heart tissue during heart attacks and other ischemic events," said Gunnar Aberg, Chief Technical Officer of Engevity. Adds Ian Phillips, principal investigator of Vigilant Vector, "These are 'intelligent vectors', engineered from safe, stable adeno-associated viruses to switch on or off as needed. In heart attacks, for example, they will be switched on by a deficiency of oxygen, and provide cardioprotective proteins to prevent heart cell damage."

"Engevity is excited about the prospect of bringing these novel products to the market," said Barry Butler, Chief Executive Officer of Engevity. "We think the potential for Vigilant Vector is unlimited, with possible future implications for numerous diseases, including diabetes and cancer. And the anti-messenger RNA products have the potential to control cardiovascular symptoms for a very long time, up to months from a single dose. Their specificity means that they may lack many of the side effects experienced with current drugs. As such, they could have a major impact on the way doctors treat cardiovascular conditions."

The agreement with Engevity was made possible through the efforts of the Office of Technology Licensing (OTL) at the University of Florida. Created in 1985, the office works with university inventors such as Dr. Ian Phillips and his team and facilitates the transfer of technologies created at UF into the commercial sector. According to David Day, Director of the OTL, the University of Florida is excited about its new partnership with Engevity. "It is an excellent example of the proactive approach OTL has taken to introduce entrepreneurs interested in starting a company to technologies that have potential to form a basis for the company," Day said. "Dr. Ian Phillips has developed a very promising technology and through the efforts of the OTL and our new partnership with Engevity, his invention may soon provide significant benefit to millions."