The ACS BrightEdge Entrepreneurs Program offers participating startups financial resources, including a $100,000 SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) investment funded by the ACS BrightEdge Investment Fund. This financial backing is supplemented by extensive mentorship opportunities and tailored educational modules designed to enhance startups’ commercialization strategies, sharpening their skills to move potentially groundbreaking innovations from lab bench to bedside efficiently. Being selected in this competitive environment is a testament to Dr. O’Raw’s pioneering work and entrepreneurial acumen.

Dr. O’Raw’s focus with OnVagus, the biotechnology venture she co-founded, targets one of oncology’s most devastating complications—cancer-associated cachexia. Cachexia is a complex metabolic syndrome characterized primarily by muscle wasting, severe weight loss, anorexia, and systemic inflammation. Despite its prevalence, affecting approximately 80% of cancer patients and accounting for over one-third of cancer-related deaths, cachexia remains incurable. OnVagus is advancing a novel, non-invasive therapeutic approach that leverages the gut-brain axis to combat this syndrome, offering hope for vastly improved patient quality of life and survival rates.

The science underlying OnVagus’ innovation is built on harnessing bioelectronic medicine principles where modulation of the vagus nerve, a critical component of the autonomic nervous system, can influence metabolic and inflammatory pathways. By stimulating this nerve non-invasively, the device aims to reverse the pathological features of cachexia observed in preclinical studies, including mitigation of muscle atrophy and chronic systemic inflammation. This approach sidesteps traditional pharmacological interventions, eliminating the need for drugs, needles, or surgery, thus minimizing potential side effects and improving patient compliance.

Dr. O’Raw highlighted the significance of her selection, emphasizing the strategic advantage the ACS BrightEdge Entrepreneurs Program presents to OnVagus. The program’s mentorship network comprises seasoned experts who bring diverse perspectives, from clinical oncology to biomedical engineering and venture investment. This cross-disciplinary support is vital for refining the technology’s commercialization pathway and accelerating OnVagus’ entrance into human trials, scheduled for the second quarter of 2026. The ultimate goal is clear: deliver an effective cachexia therapy that can be seamlessly integrated into oncology care.

Stewart Han, President of the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, expressed enthusiastic support, underscoring that Dr. O’Raw’s achievement aligns with TIBI’s core mission of translating cutting-edge biomedical research into practical clinical solutions. The institute prioritizes projects that offer clear translational potential and patient-centric benefits, as evidenced by OnVagus’ innovative mechanism and therapeutic promise. Han remarked that the ACS program will provide crucial infrastructure and resources enabling investigators like Dr. O’Raw to surmount commercialization challenges that frequently inhibit medical breakthroughs.

The ACS BrightEdge Entrepreneurs Program itself represents a vital mechanism for nurturing early-stage companies developing cancer-related technologies. These companies often face high barriers, including regulatory complexities, funding gaps, and operational challenges related to studying intricate biological systems such as cancer cachexia. By offering a structured program culminating in a closed pitch event before a network of investors, ACS promotes scalable innovation with real-world impact potential, catalyzing solutions that might otherwise languish in preclinical or early clinical development stages.

OnVagus’ approach uniquely targets the gut-brain axis, which has garnered increasing interest in recent years for its role in systemic diseases. This bi-directional communication system allows the central nervous system to modulate inflammation, appetite, and energy metabolism—pathways profoundly disrupted in cachexia. By employing a wearable or portable device that non-invasively stimulates the vagus nerve, OnVagus taps into this neurophysiological circuit to recalibrate systemic responses, effectively combating wasting and improving patient anabolic states.

Preclinical models have demonstrated that this vagus nerve stimulation can substantially reverse cachexia’s hallmarks, such as muscle degradation, anorexia, and heightened inflammatory markers. These results provide pivotal proof-of-concept evidence supporting clinical trial advancement. Furthermore, the non-invasive nature of the therapy offers significant advantages over invasive neuromodulation approaches, which typically require implanted devices with associated surgical risks.

From a biomedical engineering perspective, developing such a neurostimulation device involves overcoming challenges including precise targeting of the vagus nerve, ensuring consistent stimulation parameters, and integrating user-friendly interfaces suitable for cancer patients whose health statuses are compromised. OnVagus’ team combines expertise in bioengineering, neurobiology, and clinical oncology, fostering a multidisciplinary environment conducive to innovation and rapid problem-solving.

The upcoming clinical trial phase represents a critical milestone, as OnVagus will evaluate safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy in human subjects. Success in clinical trials would pave the way for broader adoption, potentially establishing a new standard of care for cachexia management. By providing patients with a treatment option that alleviates one of cancer’s deadliest complications, OnVagus aims to extend survival curves and enhance the overall therapeutic experience.

Dr. O’Raw’s involvement in the ACS BrightEdge Entrepreneurs Program also exemplifies the increasing trend of researchers embracing entrepreneurship to propel healthcare innovations. Bridging the gap between academic research and commercial application is crucial in translating scientific discoveries into tangible patient benefits. Programs like BrightEdge empower investigators with the training, network, and capital required to navigate this complex journey successfully.

In conclusion, Dr. Aliesha O’Raw’s selection for this esteemed program marks a pivotal step forward in cancer cachexia research and treatment development. Through OnVagus’ groundbreaking approach harnessing vagus nerve stimulation, there is renewed hope for millions of cancer patients battling cachexia worldwide. The collaboration between the ACS, Terasaki Institute, and entrepreneurial innovators like Dr. O’Raw underlines the essential synergy between science, engineering, and business needed to conquer cancer’s multifaceted challenges.

Subject of Research: Cancer-associated cachexia and neurostimulation-based therapeutic interventions
Article Title: Terasaki Institute’s Dr. Aliesha O’Raw Selected for ACS BrightEdge Entrepreneurs Program to Transform Cancer Cachexia Treatment
News Publication Date: March 17, 2026
Web References: https://mediasvc.eurekalert.org/Api/v1/Multimedia/9449d286-4f4e-4396-b4f6-4f36a1d2bddc/Rendition/low-res/Content/Public
Image Credits: Terasaki Institute
Keywords: Cancer research, Oncology, Biomedical engineering, Biotechnology, Cancer-associated cachexia, Neurostimulation, Vagus nerve, Bioelectronic medicine, Cancer therapeutics, Translational research

Among this newest cohort of Damon Runyon Fellows, five have been distinguished with the Damon Runyon-Dale F. Frey Award for Breakthrough Scientists. This award serves to recognize those individuals who have shown exceptional promise and have already exceeded the Foundation’s high expectations to a degree that positions them for profound impacts on cancer research. To facilitate their ascent in the field and magnify their potential breakthroughs, the Foundation extends an additional investment of $100,000 to these outstanding recipients, further amplifying their opportunity to revolutionize cancer treatment and prevention.

One notable Fellow, Fangyu Liu, PhD, underscores the ambitious nature of the Fellowship, expressing how its emphasis on innovation has propelled her to investigate high-risk but potentially transformative ideas. She reflects on how this support has not only exceeded her expectations but has also equipped her to glean invaluable insights that could ultimately lead to landmark discoveries. This sentiment reflects a broader ethos of the fellowship: to prioritize bold scientific inquiry as a means of propelling the field of cancer research forward.

The work of the Fellowship recipients reflects diverse and innovative studies that span a wide array of cancer types and methodologies. Rongxin Fang, PhD, at Stanford University, is employing genomic tools to decipher the intricate interactions between enhancers and promoters in cancer at the single-cell level. He is particularly focused on understanding cell communication in the healthy brain and how such communication becomes disrupted in brain tumors. This work may uncover valuable insights into manipulating genetic pathways to improve therapeutic responses for patients suffering from brain cancer.

In a separate but equally critical area of research, Xin Gu, PhD, from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, explores the midnolin-proteasome pathway and how it facilitates the degradation of proteins, bypassing traditional tagging mechanisms involving ubiquitination. This groundbreaking discovery holds significant implications for targeting key proteins linked to blood cancers like multiple myeloma. Dr. Gu aspires to unravel the finer details of this unique pathway to pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies that could dramatically alter treatment landscapes in hematological malignancies.

Fangyu Liu’s research occupies another vital niche in the fight against cancer, as she seeks to identify novel ligands to combat various cancers, including pancreatic and colorectal cancer. Through her innovative computational techniques, she screens vast libraries of chemical compounds, aiming to create highly specific drugs that effectively target cancerous pathways while sparing healthy tissues. Liu’s pioneering findings on calcium-sensing receptors underscore her commitment to shaping the future of cancer therapy, balancing efficacy with minimized side effects to potentially reshape standard care protocols.

Equally inventive, Akanksha Thawani, PhD, is confronting the fundamental question of how retrotransposons, often termed “selfish DNA,” propagate within the human genome. She applies cutting-edge cryo-electron microscopy to visualize the structural intricacies tied to these mobile genetic components. Thawani envisions her research leading to advances in genome editing technologies capable of addressing a myriad of genetic diseases, including various cancers, ultimately contributing to improved gene therapies.

Furthermore, Qinheng Zheng, PhD, is delving into the complexities of targeted therapy, specifically focusing on reactivating tumor suppressor genes like TP53, which are commonly mutated in numerous cancers. This research could signal a breakthrough in cancer therapeutics by offering new ways to counteract oncogenic mutations that currently hinder treatment options.

As the Foundation also welcomed a new class of Damon Runyon Fellows in November 2024, the research diversity continued to expand. For instance, Saket Rahul Bagde, PhD, investigates the dynamics of hemidesmosomes within cancerous epithelial tissues to facilitate the development of personalized therapies. Using organoids to simulate tumor environments, Bagde’s work could become instrumental in tailoring treatments based on individual patient profiles.

Likewise, Longyue Lily Cao, MD, PhD, focuses on enlightening the role of dendritic cells in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to enhance anti-tumor immunity through immunotherapeutic approaches. Her studies aim to uncover methods to leverage hyperactivated dendritic responses, thus potentially reshaping strategies for cancers resistant to traditional immunotherapy.

Teng Gao, PhD, seeks to deep-dive into hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), elucidating the molecular signals that govern HSC regeneration. By navigating the uncharted territories of age-related declines and regenerative capabilities of HSCs, his research aspires to enhance stem cell therapies, opening avenues for cancer treatment breakthroughs.

Rodrigo Gier, PhD, is employing a fundamentally varied strategy focused on addressing drug resistance in tumor cells. By creatively repurposing existing therapies through drug payload strategies, Gier aims to develop innovative methods that could selectively eliminate drug-resistant cancer populations, thus greatly improving clinical outcomes.

Through their collective efforts, this cohort of scientists exemplifies the cutting-edge frontline of cancer research. Their multi-faceted approaches—from cellular communication studies to novel therapeutic methods—demonstrate the expansive potential of innovative research to unveil new horizons in cancer treatment and prevention.

The contributions of the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation, alongside the unwavering dedication of these exceptional researchers, symbolize a shared commitment to fighting cancer. With each breakthrough and each novel insight, they are transforming our understanding of cancer and paving the way for future advancements that promise to change the lives of countless patients.

Together, this dynamic landscape of research underscores a hopeful trajectory toward eradicating cancer and ensuring that new and effective therapies are continuously developed. As these Fellows embark on their respective paths, the cancer research community watches closely, eagerly anticipating the innovations that will surely emerge from their groundbreaking endeavors.

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Subject of Research: Advanced Cancer Research Techniques and Innovations
Article Title: Pioneering Research in Cancer: Damon Runyon Fellows Push the Boundaries of Science
News Publication Date: October 2023
Web References: http://damonrunyon.org
References: Not Applicable
Image Credits: Not Applicable

Keywords
Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation, cancer research, postdoctoral scientists, therapeutic innovations, stem cell therapy, cancer immunotherapy, gene therapy, tumor suppressor genes, drug resistance, molecular signaling, personalized medicine, breakthrough scientists