Lead Development & Optimization

Shared Resource Overview

The Lead Development and Optimization (LDO) shared resource is composed of three activities whose aims are: 1) to provide priority support at a substantially reduced cost to researchers and clinicians in the discovery and development of novel therapeutics for treatment and prevention of cancer, 2) provide translational biology project management, pharmacology and drug delivery expertise to Cancer Center projects and 3) support collaborations with academic, non-profit and pharmaceutical organizations in these therapeutic areas.

The LDO, directed by Michael Baltezor, PhD, is a key shared resource supporting discovery and development activities of cancer researchers at the University of Kansas in partnership with KU Cancer Center. Both members and non-members of the Cancer Center have access to the services. LDO is composed of three activities that provide discovery and development support of novel cancer therapeutics in the following preclinical space:

Drug Discovery High Throughput Screening (HTS)- research and development focused on target selection and validation for high throughput method development and compound probe screening.
Drug Delivery Biotechnology Innovation and Optimization Facility (BIOF)- research and development focused on conventional and novel drug delivery and animal pharmacokinetic support.
Preclinical Proof of Concept (PPOC)- in vitro lead optimization and development of new and improved animal models for cancer to test lead molecules with capabilities to perform whole animal imaging in rodents.

This multi-component shared resource at KUCC is unique in an academic setting with state-of-the-art equipment and highly trained, experienced scientists to support cancer research toward target validation and the development and optimization of lead compounds.