Aurora Oncology

Aurora Oncology is a biotechnology company focused on developing innovative drugs and diagnostics for bladder cancer treatment. The company's core mission is to translate scientific discoveries from the University of Colorado Cancer Center into practical applications for patients with targetable tumors. Aurora Oncology's lead molecule is a modified EGF-diphtheria toxin, engineered to have a 20-fold increased affinity for the EGF receptor, which is often overexpressed in cancer cells, particularly in bladder cancer. In addition to this, the company has developed multi-functional gold nanoparticles that serve as theranostics, enabling better visualization and treatment of superficial bladder cancer. Aurora Oncology's research and development efforts are supported by funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the State of Colorado, and CU Innovations. The company's progress in the field was recognized when it was selected to present at the virtual 2020 Bio symposium, competing against other NIH-funded SBIR recipients.

Key customers and partnerships

Aurora Oncology was founded through a collaboration between scientists and physicians at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and Boulder Campus. The company is a member of the SPARK program, which provides mentorship and funding to affiliates whose product proposals have been accepted for development. This partnership offers Aurora Oncology access to world-class counsel from industry advisors and academic experts, facilitating the transition of their projects from bench to bedside. In August 2018, Aurora Oncology received fast-track funding from the NIH, with a grant of USD 299,937 awarded to support their EGF-DT project. This was followed by an additional NIH grant of USD 1,000,745 in September 2020, further advancing their research efforts.