The Parsemus Foundation
Finding low-cost solutions neglected by the pharmaceutical industry.
The Parsemus Foundation works to advance innovative and neglected medical research. The foundation’s focus is on supporting small proof-of-concept studies and then pursuing press coverage of the results, so that the advances change treatment practice rather than disappearing into the scientific literature. Many of the studies we support involve low-cost approaches that are not under patent. When supporting development of technologies under patent, Parsemus Foundation coordinates with larger funders to make sure support is contingent upon strong public-sector pricing agreements.
Current areas of focus are contraceptive development (particularly long-acting nonhormonal male methods), nonhormonal contraception/nonsurgical sterilization for animals, and testing the use of a radical approach -- hormones (an estrogen-progesterone-androgen regimen) instead of hormone inhibitors -- to increase survival and quality of life after breast cancer treatment. Parsemus is also funding a study of low-cost commercially-available anti-inflammatory medicines started early, rather than steroids started late, in treatment of muscular dystrophy.
Applications for support are by invitation only.
CURRENT INITIATIVES
Breast cancer:
After breast cancer, menopausal women are given an expensive pill for five years that blocks all remaining estrogen in their body, thereby reducing breast cancer recurrence by starving the breast (and the rest of the body) of estrogen. However, women who take this medicine pay a price -- increased joint pain, increased cognitive difficulties, increased bone fractures, and in general, feeling old too young. Parsemus Foundation is funding a study of a counterintuitive, nearly opposite approach which nevertheless appears, in epidemiological studies, to increase survival: high-quality estrogen supplementation (rather than current opposite approach, estrogen blockers), but paired with bioidentical testosterone and cycling bioidentical progesterone to counterbalance the stimulatory effect of estrogen in the breast. We hope to see similar or improved survival, with much better quality of life, from this cost-effective but counterintuitive approach. The study runs 2008-2011 with results reported in 2012. You can track its progress:
ACTION REVISED TIMELINE STATUS
Acquire Mice Weeks 1-12, 24-26 November 2008 DONE
Pilot experiments 12/2008 through 3/2009 DONE
Quarterly progress report due May 2009 DONE
Hormone dosing experiments, blood collection,
serum separation, hormone analysis,
pilot MCF-7 transplant experiment, etc. Weeks 13-29 March through July 2009 DONE
Delay- summer travel embargo for deliveries July 2009 through Sept. 2009
Perform ovariectomies, tumor transplant,
hormone treatment, etc. Weeks 30-32 October 2009 DONE
Quarterly progress report due February 2010
Analysis and testing Weeks 56-58 April 2010
Quarterly progress report due May 2010
Quarterly progress report due August 2010
Analysis and testing Weeks 84-86 November 2010
Quarterly progress report due November 2010
Quarterly progress report due February 2011
Analysis and testing Weeks 110-112 May 2011
Quarterly progress report due May 2011
Quarterly progress report due August 2011
Analysis and testing Weeks 136-138 November 2011
Quarterly progress report due November 2011
Final Report February 2012
Breast cancer:
In early 2009 Parsemus Foundation provided bridge funding to the laboratory of Dr. Carlos Sonnenschein at Tufts University to retain staff while they seek to make up for a grant that was unexpectedly cancelled. Dr. Carlos Sonnenschein and Dr. Ana Soto collaborate to study the effect of toxins (such as Bisphenol A) on breast cancer, and to create a living 3D model of breast cancer cells and their surroundings in order to account for the effect of the cells' surroundings (the stroma) on their growth or inhibition. One aspect of their work we are particularly interested in is their results showing that though estrogen stimulates breast cancer cells, it also seems to affect their surroundings (the stroma) in a way that helps keep the cells in check. Link to Sonnenschein laboratory
Development of new contraceptives:
Parsemus Foundation is funding Family Health International, teamed with the University of North Carolina, to test a 6-month non-hormonal method of contraception for men. FHI and UNC are in the process of seeing whether they can duplicate the results published elsewhere in the 1970's and 1980's, which indicated that 10-30 minutes of ultrasound applied to the testes can produce 6 months of contraception. Data from the final pilot study have been analyzed (5/2009), and it looks like the investigators have identified a combination of conditions that reliably reduces sperm count. Preliminary results from pilot studies have been presented as a poster at the North American Testes Workshop, April 2009, and the last pilot study is now complete (December 2009). The full 9-month study in rats should begin in March 2010, with study completion at the end of the year and publication shortly thereafter. To read a history of ultrasound research, refer to the ultrasound page of the Male Contraception Information Project. We are cautiously optimistic about what would be an incredible addition to couples’ contraceptive options, especially since the required equipment is already sitting in physical therapists’ offices worldwide.
Development of new contraceptives:
Because ultrasound is looking effective at eliminating motile sperm in rats, the foundation spent the summer of 2009 arranging for a small study of ultrasound contraception in monkeys so that data would be available in two species, one more similar to humans. There was one researcher who was the obvious choice with the necessary sperm expertise, and we are pleased to report that the researcher’s university agreed to completely change the monkeys’ housing conditions for us, to meet the strict new European standards and the recommendations of the U.K. National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research. In addition to being a step forward in changing how research animals are treated in the U.S., this study could confirm effectiveness of the first readily-available 6-month contraceptive for men. Results should be available in late 2010.
Animal contraception/nonsurgical sterilization:
In 2008/2009 Parsemus Foundation become active in Animal Grantmakers
and the nonprofit Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs
and plans to coordinate with other funders to pursue development and affordable pricing of promising nonsurgical sterilization methods. For example, Parsemus Foundation has funded the Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs to study an FDA-approved nonsurgical sterilant for dogs (Neutersol/Esterilsol) in a geographically-contained mountain area in Guatemala which has requested help with a dog overpopulation problem. Over 100 male dogs have been sterilized and are being monitored for complications, providing valuable information that will help foundations and animal welfare organizations decide how enthusiastic to be about supporting approval and use in additional countries. The main injection phase of the study was conducted by Veterinarians without Borders (Canada) in January 2009. Preliminary results are extremely encouraging, with only one non-minor complication (requiring scrotal ablation) out of 127 dogs. (download report) However, our support for manufacturing this product for U.S. use is on hold until we can get more data -- or at least informed estimates -- on when and where sterilizing males actually makes a population difference and is cost-effective. Will there always be another male dog to do the job, or does it depend on territory size, number of dogs loose, alpha dog/pack structure, and more? In the meantime, we are keeping our eye on some promising research for nonsurgical sterilization of female dogs that is just starting in India.
Animal contraception/nonsurgical sterilization:
In December 2009 and February 2010, Parsemus Foundation’s director got to witness demonstrations of another injectable sterilization for male dogs, this one with a difference: it knocks out testosterone -- and thus roaming, packing, fighting, and associated dog bites -- more than Neutersol. Given the lack of clarity about population impact of sterilizing males, reducing male behavior is the primary reason welfare groups castrate male dogs -- so one would think such a potential method would be welcomed, particularly since it seems easier to inject than Neutersol. We have found our colleagues’ reaction to this sterilant cautious, though, with concerns about whether the initial day or two of testicular swelling might be uncomfortable (despite published studies looking at stress measures). Parsemus Foundation is working with the researchers to gather, present, and publish additional data to address funders’ concerns, starting with a poster presentation at the 4th International Symposium on Non-surgical Contraceptive Methods of Pet Population Control, April 8-10, 2010 in Dallas, Texas.
Animal welfare:
Most of Parsemus Foundation's projects are investments in the future that will have a long-term payback if successful. For more immediate impact, Parsemus Foundation supports one organization providing direct services for the welfare of animals: a European nonprofit run on a shoestring by dedicated, skilled, web-savvy advocates. The project creates maximal impact with minimal funding by addressing the street dog situation in Romania, where the situation is so dire that street dogs are routinely poisoned en masse by city governments. Besides being barbaric, extermination does nothing to address overpopulation, as dogs quickly breed to refill a given ecosystem. This grantee has set up model programs in several towns, using TNR (trap-neuter-release), housing/treating as many dogs as it can that are not fit to be released back to the streets, and arranging international adoptions (once these dogs are rehabilitated) to open up space to shelter new dogs. We look forward to seeing whether this group can survive the financial crisis and be an example to others by turning the tide in its chosen towns without being overwhelmed or ground down by the bureaucracy, corruption, and everyday brutalities it confronts.
Breast cancer prevention, and animal sterilization (dual applicability):
In the laboratory, researchers sometimes inject alcohol (ethanol) into the mammary ducts of rodents to clear out the mammary fat pads before implanting human tumor tissue they want to study. It’s a quick way to clean out the mammary ducts just like drain cleaner would clean out a pipe -- and the ducts are where most cancer forms. We wondered whether this same technique could be used to prevent mammary cancer in dogs, so when they are sterilized they could keep their ovaries (just removing their uterus) and avoid the health problems that come from estrogen deprivation. And while we’re at it, how about preventing breast cancer in humans, too? A respected researcher we work with agreed that it made sense to at least check it out in a few rats. So far, it’s looking awfully good. For more information on this project, see the breast cancer prevention page.
Slowing the progression of muscular dystrophy:
Parsemus Foundation has funded a study of low-cost commercially-available anti-inflammatory medicines started early, rather than steroids started late, in treatment of muscular dystrophy. Should this treatment be successful, it could potentially extend the life of children/young adults with muscular dystrophy by several years. Current steroid therapy has so many side effects that eventually patients can no longer tolerate it, at which point their options are exhausted. The alternate approach worked remarkably well in this study in mice (just as well as the steroids), and results should be published in 2010.
Last updated February 25, 2010
