NBTS Awards Research Grant for GBM Brain Cancer to Tocagen
WATERTOWN, Mass., August 5, 2010 — National Brain Tumor Society (NBTS), a leading non-profit organization in the brain tumor community, today announced that it has awarded Tocagen Inc. (Tocagen) a grant for the development of its promising new investigational treatment for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), which is highly aggressive and the most common of the malignant primary brain tumors. Tocagen is a private biopharmaceutical company with a focus on breakthrough treatments for advanced cancer. The amount of the grant was undisclosed.
“National Brain Tumor Society is fiercely committed to funding promising research that will lead to the discovery of new therapies for adult and pediatric brain tumors and improved quality of life for all affected by brain tumors,” said N. Paul TonThat, Executive Director at NBTS. “For that reason, we are supporting the development of Tocagen’s Toca 511 novel treatment for GBM.”
“With this grant, we look forward to working with NBTS in our shared mission to make a dramatic difference in the lives of people with brain cancer,” said Harry Gruber, MD, CEO of Tocagen.
In the US alone, over 9,000 persons are diagnosed yearly with GBM, and over 124,000 persons are living with a diagnosis of primary brain or CNS cancer. In addition, approximately one quarter of all adult cancers will metastasize to the brain.
About Tocagen
Tocagen is a biopharmaceutical company pursuing the discovery, development and commercialization of products for the treatment of cancer. Tocagen is initially focusing on treatments for patients with advanced cancer for whom it believes no adequate treatment currently exists. Please visit www.Tocagen.com for additional information.
About the National Brain Tumor Society
NBTS is dedicated to help: empower individuals with comprehensive information, online programs, caring support, and direct connections to others going through the same challenges; fund transformative research to lead more rapidly to new therapies for adult and pediatric brain tumors, and ultimately to cures; advocate for brain tumor patients, families, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and researchers.