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Lipo-Immuno Tech: Oncology and Neuroscience Startup Chosen For SCbioDrive Accelerator Program

SOUTH CAROLINA – April 22, 2025 – Lipo-Immuno Tech was founded to advance anti-cancer strategies that also show promise in treating neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease. Strong mechanistic data support the methods and have the potential to improve patient health significantly. The company specializes in innovative anti-cancer approaches that utilize lipid metabolism/signaling and immunotherapy. Lipo-Immuno Tech offers a unique, two-pronged therapeutic approach with specialized expertise and leadership by targeting lipid metabolism/signaling and boosting the body’s natural anti-cancer immune responses.

Solutions

Lipo-Immuno Tech has developed mechanism-based products in chemo-immunotherapy fields to treat patients with cancer, autoimmune diseases like lupus and neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease. Its CellTheraPro technology helps expand T cells faster and cheaper, making cellular immunotherapy more affordable. Given the superior safety and toxicity data so far, the company believes that its T cell expansion technologies for CAR-T, TCR and TIL products will further reduce the cost of cellular immunotherapy. In addition, Lipo-Immuno Tech’s lipid-based therapeutic agents and cell therapy technologies have been developed by strong mechanistic data using non-dilutive and highly competitive National Institutes of Health grants that provide innovative and efficacious therapeutic solutions for the treatment of advanced diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.

Strengths

  • Mitochondria-Targeting Ceramides:
    • Lipo-Immuno Tech has novel ceramide analogs that target dysfunctional mitochondria, leading to immunogenic cell death in preclinical studies.
  • Neurodegeneration Applications:
    • Ceramide analog drugs have indications to improve neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, by improving mitochondrial quality control in neurons in preclinical studies.
  • T Cell Activation:
    • Novel activation cocktail and technologies for T cell expansion with superior efficacy and safety from patients’ own T cells. This is a complementary system for CAR-T, TCR and TIL-based cell therapies for treating patients with advanced cancers or autoimmune disorders, including lupus.
  • CellThera Pro Trial:
    • The company’s T cell expansion technologies, a novel expansion cocktail called CellThera Pro, are in phase I clinical trial to treat advanced lymphoma patients using an anti-CD19 CAR-T product generated using the Medical University of South Carolina’s GMP-grade clean cell facility.

Meet the Co-Founders

From left to right:

Besim Ogretmen, Ph.D. – Co-Founder + Chief Executive Officer

Shikhar Mehrotra, Ph.D. – Co-Founder + Chief Scientific Officer

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Paige Durham

SCbio is pleased to welcome Paige Durham to the team as communications coordinator to creatively and effectively communicate the value of the life science association’s programs and initiatives.

Durham will be responsible for developing and distributing high-quality content across multiple communications channels to build, advance and grow South Carolina’s life sciences industry, a key business sector for economic prosperity for the Palmetto State.

“SCbio is excited to welcome Paige to our team as our new communications coordinator. Paige brings fresh ideas and a strong background in communications that will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our engagement with our audience,” said SCbio President and CEO James Chappell. “We are confident that her skills and experience will be crucial in advancing our communication strategies and supporting our mission.”

Before joining SCbio, Durham was the Membership and Communications Manager at the South Carolina Pharmacy Association (SCPhA), where she used her photography, design and writing skills to create content tailored to pharmacy professionals. Durham’s effective communication skills guaranteed the delivery of brand-specific material that captured the eye of her audience.

During her time at SCPhA, Durham created and edited the Palmetto Pharmacist Journal, using her creative vision to showcase members, educational institutions and industry news. Her communications efforts successfully gained new followers for the organization over the course of a year, increasing brand visibility and promoting the pharmacy profession.

Durham holds a Bachelor of Science in hospitality and tourism management and a Bachelor of Science in business administration from the College of Charleston.

Tamia Sumpter

Tamia is a driven senior undergraduate Bioengineering student currently enrolled at Clemson University. With a strong foundation in her field, she has honed her skills through hands-on experience in research and development at Eli Lilly & Company. During her time in the ADME department, Tamia contributed significantly by working on siRNAs and their applications in finding In Vitro-In Vivo Correlation (IVIVC). Looking ahead, Tamia has set her sights on a promising career in law. She aspires to specialize in Intellectual Property Law, with a particular focus on serving as in-house counsel for leading medical device or pharmaceutical companies. Her enthusiasm for this role is palpable as she prepares to embark on her legal journey! She is also a proud member of the Omicron Phi chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., PEER Mentor for Clemson PEER/WiSE, and currently serves as the President of Clemson Bioengineering Organization (CBO). With her unique blend of scientific knowledge and legal interests, Tamia is poised to make a meaningful impact in the healthcare and life sciences industries.