With the arrival this semester of Dr. Eric Kmiec as chairman of the Department of Chemistry, the University has also inherited an exciting biotechnology company that is focusing on the development of an innovative molecular medicine approval that can treat patients with Sickle Cell Disease.
 
The company – OrphageniX, Inc. – was begun by Kmiec and other scientists and a group of investors in 2000 when he taught and did research at the University of Delaware. In the beginning, OrphageniX worked to develop gene alteration treatments for several orphan diseases – maladies that affect a relatively low number of people. But now, the company has narrowed its focus to Sickle Cell Disease.
 
The technology is known as gene editing and centers on the concept that inborn genetic errors (mutations) which result in the manifestation of diseases like Sickle Cell Disease can be reversed. Such correction can partially diminish the symptoms of the disease. The gene editing technique can be thought of as a spell-checker in which the misplaced letters of the mutant gene are corrected and the normal gene function is restored. 

Kmiec and his lab pioneered this approach toward genetic diseases in the early 2000s and now the gene editing field is flourishing. “It is good to see this growth, as it is indicative of a healthy scientific approach,” said Kmiec, who added, “Validation by others, even using other competitive technologies, is good any type of scientific investigation.”
 
Kmiec said he wants to make DSU a major part of the success and growth of the company and the research.

“I see the company engaging some DSU students from the College of Business to learn, observe and even help craft business strategies for the company,” he said. “This could be a great case study for the students of that college because the company functions as a real business, not just a hypothetical work experience. What we all do here at DSU will count.”

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