Preventing the development of early stage prostate cancer
Initially, Evgen is developing Sulforadex™ for the prevention of early stage prostate cancer disease progression.
As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, if 100 men over age 50 take the PSA test (a marker of risk for prostate cancer), 15 will have higher than normal PSA. Elevated PSA can lead to a biopsy whereupon a clinical diagnosis is made. Patients determined to be cancer negative, or positive for an indolent form of the disease, will continue to be monitored by urologists but for both groups there is currently no established standard of care.
A new low cost chemopreventative agent, with a low toxicity profile and minimal side effects, would have a major impact on disease-associated cost, morbidity, and mortality for a large segment of the male population; driving a prophylactic paradigm shift, and growth, in the current $5.5bn prostate cancer therapeutic market†.
Other markets
In addition to reduction of risk of specific cancers, sulforaphane has been linked to eradication of H. pylori, delaying age-related macular degeneration (AMD), reversal of diabetic heart damage and reduction of risk of cardiovascular disease; suggesting even wider market potential for Sulforadex™.
†Prostate Cancer – Drug Pipeline Analysis and Market Forecasts to 2015, GlobalData, January 2010