Cvergenx has developed a genomics-based approach that provides radiation oncologists with the first opportunity to biologically optimize and personalize radiation therapy dose for each individual patient.

The Precision RT Dose platform (pRTD) utilizes tumor-specific genomic data to quantify the personalized biological effect of a given dose of radiation therapy. It integrates a gene expression signature of tumor radiosensitivity (RSI), into the classic linear-quadratic model to quantify the genomic-adjusted radiation dose (GARD), which represents a predicted personalized biologic radiation effect for each patient’s tumor. Radiation oncologists can utilize GARD to optimize the therapeutic index of a radiation therapy plan to maximize the biological effect of RT on a tumor while respecting normal tissue dose constraints, and safety guidelines, providing the first opportunity for genomic-based radiation oncology.

Moffitt Cancer Center & Cvergenx Partner to Personalize Radiation Therapy

August 9, 2017

Tampa, FL — Moffitt Cancer Center and Cvergenx announced a new research partnership that aims to revolutionize radiation therapy. The goal of the Future of Radiation Therapy (FORT) project is to create a framework for using a patient’s genetic information to provide a personalized radiation treatment plan. READ FULL PRESS RELEASE →

A Tailored Approach to Cancer Treatment

Tampa Bay Times, August 18, 2017

Tampa, FL — Treatment at Moffitt Cancer Center has been more precise since doctors and researchers there began using targeted drug therapies nearly a decade ago. And soon they plan to expand on that approach, known as personalized medicine, to include radiation therapy. READ FULL PRESS RELEASE →

Cvergenx, Inc. Brings Radiation Oncology into the Era of Individualized Medicine

January 4th, 2017

Tampa, FL — In an endeavor to bring radiation oncology into the era of individualized medicine, Cvergenx, Inc. today reaffirmed its plans to commercialize the first genomics-driven approach to precision radiation therapy. This advance, recently recognized by The Lancet Oncology, one the most widely read and well respected peer-reviewed oncology journals in the world today, was echoed in an editorial commentary in the same publication. READ FULL PRESS RELEASE →

Jacob Scott and Javier Torres-Roca Discuss RSI & GARD

Quadshot podcast, July 6, 2021

Jacob Scott, MD and Javier Torres-Roca, MD discuss their work on the Radiation Sensitivity Index (RSI), Genomic Adjusted Radiation Dose (GARD), and how their work could potentially change cancer care forever.

The Lancet Oncology podcast, February 1, 2017

Javier Torres-Roca, MD and Louis B. Harrison, MD discuss genome-based modeling and its uses in calculating the appropriate radiation dosage.

Raymond F. Vennare

Raymond F. Vennare (Chairman) is an accomplished senior executive and biotechnology entrepreneur with a long history of founding, launching and leading companies ranging from bioinformatics, diagnostics and therapeutic drug delivery to FDA-cleared medical devices. In addition to advising nationally ranked universities, philanthropic organizations and multi-national publicly traded companies, Raymond is past co-founder and CEO of Thermal Therapeutic Systems, President and Chief Executive Officer of ImmunoSite, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer of TissueInformatics and President of VSinteractive.

Javier F. Torres-Roca, MD

Javier F. Torres-Roca, MD (Co-founder & Acting CEO) is Professor of Oncologic Sciences and Senior Member in the Department of Radiation Oncology at Moffitt Cancer Center and clinical faculty with a sub-specialty in urological and cutaneous malignancies. Javier earned his medical degree from the University of Puerto Rico followed by post-doctoral training in immunology and molecular biology with Nobel Laureate Professor Luc Montagnier (Institute Pasteur) and Drs. Irving Weismann and Leonard Herzenberg (Stanford). He completed his clinical training in radiation oncology at the University of California and is an ABR board certified radiation oncologist.

Steven A. Eschrich, PhD

Steven A. Eschrich, PhD (Co-founder & CTO) is Senior Member at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute in the Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Scientific Director of the Moffitt Cancer Center Cancer Informatics Core Facility and Associate Professor of Oncologic Sciences at the University of South Florida. Dr. Eschrich received his Ph.D. from the University of South Florida with an emphasis on developing scalable machine learning algorithms for bioinformatics applications including extensive experience in gene expression microarray analysis in translational cancer research.

Jacob G. Scott, MD, DPhil

Jacob G. Scott, MD, DPhil (Co-founder & CSO), is a Radiation Oncologist and Physician-Scientist at the Cleveland Clinic specializing in the care of patients with sarcoma. His NIH/NCI funded laboratory focuses on the evolution of therapeutic resistance, and genetic signatures of radiation and chemotherapeutic response. Jake earned his medical degree from Case Western Reserve University and his DPhil in mathematical biology from the University of Oxford. He completed his clinical training at the Moffitt Cancer Center, and moved as faculty to Cleveland Clinic immediately after and is an ABR certified radiation oncologist.

John G. Kokales, MD

John G. Kokales, MD, (Board Director) is a former practicing physician, Senior Medical Director for Medicare and Medical Director for UPMC Health Plan. John chaired the Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee, co-chaired the Quality Committee for the CMI physician network and chaired the Clinical Pathways Committee at Shadyside Hospital. He is past Member of the Physicians Advisory Committee of the CMI, the Critical Clinical Information Task Force for Cerner Electronic medical record implementation, the Physician Advisory Committee Cerner Hospital implementation and Institutional Review Board at UPMC Shadyside.

Pamela A. Bush, PhD/MBA

Pamela A. Bush, PhD/MBA (Board Director) is the former Director of Corporate Business Development at Eli Lilly & Company where she was lead negotiator for term sheets and contracts to in-license and out-license strategic assets. Before becoming Director or Corporate Business Development, Pamela served as manager in R&D Finance at Lilly and served as Director of Investment Programs for the Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse in Pittsburgh, PA. Pamela holds a PhD from Carnegie Mellon University, College of Science, and MBA from the Carnegie Mellon University, Tepper School of Business.

David S. Smith, JD

David S. Smith, JD (Board Director) a corporate lawyer focusing on intellectual property transactions, venture financings and regulatory matters for life sciences companies and investors, is of counsel with Pepper Hamilton LLP, and a member of the firm's Health Sciences Department. David is active in a number of trade organizations and serves on the executive committee of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society. He is a past member of the board of directors of the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Association and secretary of the Pittsburgh Tissue Engineering Initiative.