Curis is basically an academic run biotech company. Most of their consultants are teachers ranging from Harvard to Stanford. The company was even founded by a Harvard teacher. Researchers noted Hh had important implications in embryonic development, being a key mediator of cell division and morphogenesis. However, a theory about cancer came out around 2000, that cancer cells are a lot like adult stem cells. This theory also took into account that Wnt and Hh play an important role in post embryonic development. Curis holds most of the patents mediating the Hh pathway. Because curis has the intellectual property of turning off the pathway by antagonizing the SMO, curis holds one of the keys to cancer regulation and division. Also because curis scientist are mostly from academic sources and embryonic specialists they didn't know how to bring these antagonist into the clinic. Genentech being a biotech giant saw its implications and signed a large contract with curis to bring these antagonist into the clinic. It is a perfect match, curis being an expert on embryonic pathways, and Genentech have great expertise and success bringing drugs into the clinic. It is not surprising that curis keeps pharming out their technology because, the founders and researchers understand its implications but don't understand the politics and how to bring drugs to the clinic. The CEO of curis, has been more upbeat in his last presentations and also said they are looking about pharming out gene therapy for heart attack. If these drugs make it big in the clinic, then curis will probably use this money to start out what they decided to do that is embryonic and regenerative medicine. It is also interesting to note that John Hopkins hospital has a stake in curis as well.

Well out with the Academic run biotech. (Melton and Rubin)

Mr. Joseph M. Davie, has taken over and added a few members to the board who have better experience with bringing things into the clinic. They have also started China-Based Subsidiary, that will probably conduct most of there assay work. Most of the new ppl on the board bring knowledge and expertise of cancer and especially with regards to the Wnt pathway.