A Medical Device Daily

Senesco Technologies (New Brunswick, New Jersey) reported that it has entered into a Master Services Agreement with Cato Research (Triangle Park; North Carolina), a contract research (CRO) and development organization, to assist the company in evaluating and developing the company’s technology with the ultimate goal of initiating a Phase I clinical trial for a certain cancer.

The company plans to use Cato’s services to assist it in completion of a preclinical animal model of the cancer target, toxicology studies and other necessary functions to lead to the potential filing of an investigational new drug application with the FDA. The company estimates that it will take about two years to complete these steps.

“We are pleased to have Cato Research as Senesco’s CRO,” said Bruce Galton, president/CEO of the company. He said that Cato’s experience with oncology applications of gene technologies “should provide us with valuable insight and guidance as we pursue our business and research plans.”

Founded in 1988, Cato is a private CRO providing support for clients in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and medical diagnostic industries.

Senesco, a biotech company, has initiated preclinical research to trigger or delay cell death in mammals (apoptosis) to determine if the technology is applicable in human medicine.