Grantee: University of South Carolina

Principal Investigator: Qian Wang, Ph.D.

SCRA awarded the University of South Carolina $860,000. USC has $290,000 in matching funds for a total of one million dollars in funding to develop a more cost-effective way to synthesize compounds that show promise for treating neurodegenerative diseases. There is global demand for these treatments, but the current manufacturing method is costly to pursue and get to market.  Clemson University, USC Lancaster, Benedict College, and Francis Marion University are working on the project with USC (Columbia). The industry partner is Integrated Micro-chromatography Systems (IMCS) of Irmo, SC.

“Neurodegenerative disease is one of the most critical medical challenges of our era. The support from SCRA will not only strengthen the collaboration between USC and our local industrial partners but also greatly accelerate the translational process of this very important technology to clinical studies. Furthermore, it will foster biomanufacturing-based economic growth in our state.” – Qian Wang, Carolina Distinguished Professor at USC 

“The University of South Carolina is committed to advancing the healthcare industry and improving lives in South Carolina,” said USC VP of Economic Development,  Dr. Stephen Cutler. “We appreciate SCRA’s continued support of the University and look forward to working with industry partners, such as IMCS, to research and develop proven methods to combat neurodegenerative diseases here in South Carolina and beyond.”