In a groundbreaking development bridging advanced science and practical innovation, Purdue University researchers from its esteemed colleges of Agriculture, Engineering, and Science have secured $100,000 in funding from the Trask Innovation Fund to advance two patent-driven technologies aimed at transforming cancer treatment and freshwater management. This injection of capital underscores Purdue’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of research commercialization and addressing critical global challenges through pioneering intellectual property.
One of the highlighted projects is spearheaded by Distinguished Professor Andrew Mesecar, a leader in cancer structural biology and director of the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research. His work focuses on developing potent inhibitors targeting Ubiquitin Specific Protease 7 (USP7), a human enzyme implicated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most prevalent form of liver cancer worldwide. Mesecar’s approach is notable for its selectivity: the compounds under development inhibit USP7 through a unique binding mechanism distinct from the enzyme’s catalytic site, which sets them apart from existing inhibitors and promises reduced off-target effects, a critical hurdle in drug development.
The significance of Mesecar’s research lies not only in its molecular specificity but also in the broader public health context. HCC presents formidable challenges, with rising incidence rates and a dearth of effective therapies leading to high mortality worldwide. By advancing novel, patent-backed compounds that selectively shut down USP7 activity, Mesecar and his team aim to pioneer a new class of therapeutics that could improve clinical outcomes and reduce treatment-related economic burdens. The Trask Innovation Fund award will support the synthesis of refined molecules with enhanced drug-like properties and higher efficacy across diverse HCC cell lines, paving the way toward preclinical validation.
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In parallel, the College of Engineering’s Jerry M. and Lynda T. Engelhardt Professor Pablo Zavattieri is leading an innovative project to develop a reconfigurable and navigable waterway barrier (RNWB) designed to tackle saltwater intrusion in the Panama Canal. This effort responds to critical environmental and economic pressures fueled by climate change, increased water use resulting from Neopanamax vessels, and dwindling freshwater reserves in Gatun Lake, which is essential for the canal’s operation. Saltwater contamination threatens both potable water supplies and the canal’s operational efficiency, posing risks to global maritime trade.
Zavattieri’s RNWB leverages advanced materials engineered at Purdue to prevent the mixing of saltwater and freshwater during ship transits through the canal. The design is patent-pending and represents a sophisticated solution that balances ecological preservation with economic imperatives. By effectively isolating saltwater, the barrier could sustain freshwater availability, maintain canal throughput, and mitigate revenue losses tied to reduced transit capacity. This technology has garnered strong interest from the Panama Canal Authority (ACP), with which Purdue maintains a collaborative relationship bolstered by connections such as former ACP Vice President and Purdue alumnus Luis Alfaro.
Central to the RNWB project is the plan to use the Trask funding for a six-month intensive phase that will refine barrier design, fabricate a proof-of-concept prototype, and conduct controlled testing within Purdue’s facilities. These steps are critical to de-risk the technology, demonstrate feasibility, and lay the foundation for commercial partnerships. Discussions with ACP have already explored viable business models, including startup formation and licensing pathways, highlighting the translational impact of the research. Successful deployment of the RNWB could revolutionize how critical waterways address saltwater intrusion globally, extending Purdue’s legacy of practical civil engineering solutions.
The Trask Innovation Fund itself plays an instrumental role in bridging what innovators call the “valley of death” — the often-prolonged gap between academic invention and marketable product. Managed by Purdue Innovates Incubator, the fund provides crucial resources allowing researchers to generate data, build prototypes, validate concepts, and advance commercialization strategies. Its support complements a broader ecosystem fostering entrepreneurial activities, including customer discovery, regulatory guidance, team building, and business modeling. As fund manager Matt Dressler explains, this financial and programmatic support accelerates the translation of early-stage discoveries, making them attractive to industry partners and investors.
Purdue Innovates Incubator serves as the gateway to these innovation resources, offering Purdue-affiliated inventors and entrepreneurs valuable programming and mentorship opportunities. By aligning technical research with strategic business acumen, the incubator enhances the likelihood that transformative ideas reach the marketplace and create tangible societal benefits. The incubator team actively encourages alumni and community members to contribute as mentors, creating a dynamic network that bridges academia and industry.
Purdue University’s stature as a leading public research institution bolsters the visibility and impact of projects like those funded by the Trask Innovation Fund. Ranked among the top 10 public universities nationwide, Purdue harnesses a vast and diverse community of over 107,000 students and multiple campuses to foster interdisciplinary research excellence. Its sustained commitment to affordability, exemplified by a 14-year tuition freeze at its main campus, reflects a broader vision to democratize access to knowledge and innovation.
The innovative scope of the USP7 inhibitors offers promising advancements in biomedical science, specifically targeting the mechanistic underpinnings of cancer proliferation. By focusing on an allosteric site distinct from active centers commonly targeted by drugs, Mesecar’s compounds exploit novel inhibitory pathways, potentially minimizing adverse interactions seen in existing treatments. Such precision medicine approaches are critical in addressing complex diseases like HCC, where heterogeneity and drug resistance complicate therapy.
On the environmental engineering front, Zavattieri’s RNWB represents a significant leap in infrastructure design, combining material science and civil engineering principles with real-world environmental challenges. The dynamic and reconfigurable nature of the barrier allows it to adapt to the canal’s operational requirements and variable hydrological conditions. By enabling navigable passage for Neopanamax vessels without compromising freshwater stores, the RNWB could substantially enhance the canal’s resilience to climate-induced stresses and escalating maritime demands.
These projects epitomize the convergence of scientific inquiry and practical application, demonstrating how university research can address global challenges in health and environmental management. The strategic use of intellectual property protection ensures that these innovations retain commercial viability while preserving the incentives for continued academic exploration and collaboration.
Furthermore, the emphasis on commercialization pathways illustrates a holistic approach to research translation, where technical development is integrated with market analysis, stakeholder engagement, and scalable business models. This synergy amplifies the potential impact of Purdue’s innovations, positioning them for success not only in the lab but also in real-world deployment.
As the academic year progresses, the outcomes of these projects will likely inform broader discussions on the role of university-driven innovation funds and incubators in accelerating the pace at which cutting-edge discoveries improve human health and environmental sustainability. By fostering collaboration across disciplines and engaging with global partners such as the Panama Canal Authority, Purdue sets a compelling model for impactful, solution-oriented research.
In summary, the Trask Innovation Fund’s support of Andrew Mesecar’s novel USP7 inhibitors and Pablo Zavattieri’s reconfigurable waterway barrier exemplifies the power of targeted investment in early-stage technologies. Both endeavors harness Purdue’s rich expertise and resources to confront pressing issues—cancer therapeutics and freshwater conservation—with transformative potential. As these projects advance toward commercialization, they underscore the vital role that academic innovation ecosystems play in shaping the future of science, technology, and global well-being.
Subject of Research:
Cancer therapeutics targeting USP7 enzyme for hepatocellular carcinoma treatment; Reconfigurable waterway barrier technology addressing saltwater intrusion in critical maritime infrastructure.
Article Title:
Purdue Innovates with Novel Cancer Therapeutics and Waterway Barrier Technologies Backed by Trask Innovation Fund
News Publication Date:
Spring 2025
Web References:
Purdue Innovates Trask Innovation Fund: https://purdueinnovates.org/incubator/trask-innovation-fund/
Purdue Institute for Cancer Research: https://www.purdue.edu/cancer-research/
Lyles School of Civil and Construction Engineering: https://engineering.purdue.edu/CCE
Purdue Innovates Incubator: https://purdueinnovates.org/incubator/
Image Credits:
Purdue University photo/Nelson Pachao Morbitzer
Keywords:
Research funding, Cancer, Liver cancer, Cancer medication, Cancer treatments, Water management, Freshwater resources, Man made structures, Civil engineering, Transportation infrastructure
Tags: advanced science in healthcarebreakthrough cancer therapiesfreshwater management innovationshepatocellular carcinoma researchinnovative cancer treatment technologiespublic health advancements in cancer carePurdue Innovates IncubatorPurdue University cancer researchresearch commercialization in oncologyselective enzyme inhibitorsTrask Innovation Fund fundingUSP7 inhibitors for liver cancer