LIFEPHARMS'
Abstract

Ascomycetes and Basidiomycetes: Sources of Novel Agricultural Fungicide Agents

Bethany Case¹, David Wedge¹, Charles Cantrell¹, E. Edward Mena², Stephen Duke¹
USDA-ARS, Natural Products Utilization Research Unit, University, MS 38677¹
LifePharms Inc., Groton, CT 06340²

The Natural Products Utilization Research Unit of ARS began a collaboration with LifePharms Inc. in 2004 to evaluate its extensive collection of ascomycete and basidiomycete fruiting body extracts for natural antifungal compounds, potential leads for new agrochemicals. Extracts were evaluated for their antifungal activity against Colletotrichum acutatum, Colletotrichum fragariae, and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Approximately 6,000 of the projected 13-16,000 samples have been evaluated. Of the extracts tested, 38 have been designated primary lead candidates with activity against all the fungal isolates, 335 secondary lead candidates with activity over at least one isolate, and 216 extracts of interest with varied and unique active zones over some or all isolates. Work is currently underway to isolate fungicidal compounds from lead candidates by a bioassay-guided process.

November 1, 2006
WTIC-TV Hartford features LifePharms, Inc in Health Watch Story.Watch the video.
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April 23, 2006
LifePharms, Inc. is listed as "the single most important project" within the Natural Products Utilization Research Program for the US Department of Agriculture's 2005 Annual Report.
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September 7, 2005
LifePharms, Inc. is awarded an SBIRII grant for its work on cancer. Its lead compound has demonstrated a ten fold selectivity in killing cancer cells over normal cells when compared to other anticancer agents. This compound is also as potent as leading cancer therapeutics like Camptothecin.Read Article.
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