Oct 1, 2024
Joseph Ellis, Ph.D., joins OncoSpherix’s Research Team
Atlanta, GA – Oct 1, 2024 – OncoSpherix, Inc., a preclinical-stage cancer drug development company advancing HIF inhibitors in variety of cancer indications, announces the appointment of Joseph Ellis, PhD, as Research Scientist. Dr. Ellis has more than 5 years of both academic and industry research experience primarily in Myotonic Dystrophy. In addition to his basic science expertise, he also has expertise in bioinformatics and RNA biology. He will help expand and prioritize OncoSpherix’s platform of small molecule therapeutics that target HIF.
CEO of OncoSpherix, Margaret K. Offermann, M.D., Ph.D. stated, “We are very fortunate at OncoSpherix to have someone of Joe’s caliber join our team. We are already benefiting from his keen intellect and experimental diligence. He is a wonderful addition to our team.”
Dr. Ellis’ previous role was in a Biotech startup as a Senior Tissue and Data Acquisition Specialist. In this role, he sourced and acquired human biomaterials enabling multi-million-dollar drug discovery collaborations, as well as supported quality control efforts for multi-omics data. Prior, he was a Doctoral Research Assistant at the RNA Institute at the University at Albany in Upstate NY. There, he utilized a unique computational approach to identify novel molecular mechanisms regulating alternative splicing, important in the pathogenesis of Myotonic Dystrophy. Dr. Ellis earned his Ph.D. in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL, and his B.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA.
About OncoSpherix:
OncoSpherix, Inc., based in Atlanta, Ga, is a pre-clinical stage oncology drug development company that is advancing a proprietary platform of first-in-class small molecule therapeutics that are designed to improve the quality of life and survival for people with many forms of cancer by targeting a common feature of solid tumors: the activation of hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1). Nearly all solid cancers grow faster than their blood supplies, leading to regions of low oxygen in the tumors and HIF activation. The HIFs in turn induce the expression of over 100 genes that help tumor cells survive and spread. OncoSpherix has several classes of small molecules that block activation of HIF-1 through novel mechanisms. OncoSpherix’s lead clinical candidate has been shown in mouse models to reduce primary tumor growth, inhibit metastasis, and prolong survival in many types of cancer (glioblastoma, pancreatic cancer, uveal melanoma, lung cancer, breast cancer). OncoSpherix intends to advance its lead candidate in one or more of these indications, in combination with agents that show therapeutic synergy while being well-tolerated.as part of the combination.
Company Contact:
Allan Valmonte
VP of Business Operations
Source: OncoSpherix, Inc.