Breakthroughs in Hematology: Partner with the Blood Cancer Healing Center

The Blood Cancer Healing Center at the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center is the nation’s most comprehensive blood cancer center. Our integrated model brings together patient care, translational research, and clinical trials under one roof – delivering superior outcomes and accelerating the path from discovery to treatment.

Featuring primary biospecimen acquisition, a comprehensive translational research pipeline, a dedicated clinical trial unit and experienced industry contract experts, we have a skilled team that has identified, de-risked, documented and translated more than four therapies into first-in-human and Phase 1 trials in under 5 years.

We’re ready to partner with companies looking to accelerate and maximize novel therapies.

The Impact

• Better Outcomes: Our multidisciplinary approach has resulted in up to a 33% higher survival rate for Acute Myeloid Leukemia compared to the national average.
• Research Acceleration: Co-located clinical and laboratory spaces enable rapid translation of groundbreaking science into life-saving therapies.
• A National Model: We are a collaborative hub, training the next generation of researchers and clinicians, and setting new standards for cancer care.

The Opportunity

For Pharma & Biotech Companies

We seek to establish a strategic partnership to accelerate your pipeline. Our dedicated Translational and Phase 1 clinical trials teams offer an unparalleled environment for faster clinical validation of novel therapies, including small molecules, bispecific T-cell engagers and next-generation CAR T-cell therapies.

For Technology & Medical Device Companies

We invite you to partner with us to equip our state-of-the-art facility with your latest technology, integrating cutting-edge imaging, precision diagnostics and data analytics tools to further improve our AML survival rate, which is 33% higher than the national average.

Milestone-Based Contracts

We are ready to fail fast or move compounds quickly through the regulatory pipeline. We set up CRO-style contracts and are prepared to partner quickly through regular meetings, SoPs, change orders and regulatory documents.

On-site Wet Lab Facilities

The Blood Cancer Healing Center offers turn-key wet laboratory services for rent.

Partnership Examples

Driving Innovative Research: Our team has partnered with Eilean Therapeutics to support the clinical translation of several novel agents. This has resulted in grant submissions for the research team and international recognition for the Eilean team to highlight these assets at international meetings.

• A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Phase 1 Trial in Healthy Volunteers Investigating the Safety, Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of a Novel FLT3/IRAK4 Inhibitor, Lomonitinib (ZE46-0134). American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting; 2024 Dec 7-10. San Diego CA.
• Interim Analysis of a Randomized Phase 1 Trial in Healthy Volunteers Investigating the Safety, Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of a Novel FLT3/IRAK4 Inhibitor, Lomonitinib (ZE46-0134). European Hematology Association Meeting; 2024 June 13-16. Madrid Spain. P601.
• The novel menin inhibitor ZE63-0302 has an impressive safety profile and unique chemistry that suggests improved efficacy against resistance mutations. European Hematology Association Meeting; 2024 June 13-16. Madrid Spain. S130 (oral presentation).
• A Novel Selective Inhibitor of BCL2 with Limited Immune Suppression and Improved Safety Compared to Venetoclax. American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting; 2023 Dec 9-12. San Diego CA.
• Therapeutic Targeting of FLT3 Gate Keeper Mutation with E2082-0047 in Traditional and Novel Immunocompetent Murine Adoptive Transfer Model of AML.  American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting; 2023 Dec 9-12. San Diego CA.
• A Novel Inhibitor of FLT3 and Its Drug-Resistant Mutants with Superior Activity to Gilteritinib in Molm-13 Preclinical Acute Myeloid Leukemia Xenograft Model. American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting; 2022 Dec 10-13. New Orleans, LA.
• ASH 2025: ABSTRACT ID 1988. ZE74-0282 is a novel JH2 domain JAK2 inhibitor with promising pre-clinical activity in JAK2 V617F mutant diseases.
• ASH 2025: ABSTRACT ID 5067. A randomized placebo-controlled Phase 1 trial in healthy volunteers investigating safety, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of a novel menin inhibitor, balomenib (ZE63-0302): Interim analysis.

Driving Innovative Clinical Translation: Our partnerships have led to Phase 1 clinical trials in AML, CLL and solid tumors. JBZ-001 has a pending trial (IND approved) in AML:

• Lonitoclax (BCL2 inhibitor)
• Lomonitinib (FLT3 inhibitor, NCT06366789, NCT03013998)
• HOSU-53/ JBZ-001 (DHODH inhibitor, NCT06801002)

Our Team:

Erin Hertlein, PhD hertleek@ucmail.uc.edu

Megan Johnstone, PhD johns8mn@ucmail.uc.edu

Emily Curran, MD curraney@ucmail.uc.edu

Michelle Marcum, MS marcumma@ucmail.uc.edu

Geoffrey Pinski, JD pinskig@ucmail.uc.edu