Agamemnon Epenetos
SUMMARY
Agamemnon Antoniou Epenetos qualified in medicine from Glasgow University, Scotland in 1973 and subsequently specialized in Medical Oncology at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London.
He was offered and accepted a fellowship at the Royal Postgraduate Medical School, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College London supported by the Medical Research Council and the Imperial Cancer Research as a Consultant and Professor in Medical Oncology and Cancer Research. He has been a practicing Oncologist and Cancer Researcher over the last 30 years and a visiting Professor at Imperial College London.
In 1992 and together with Dr Anna Achilleoudi, he encouraged senior members of the Government of Cyprus and the Bank of Cyprus to create and fund the Bank of Cyprus Oncology Centre (BOCOC) in Nicosia, a state-of-the-art treatment of cancer. His work with BOCOC continued for several years after, the Centre opened its doors to patients in September 1998.
In 2022 he was offered and accepted the position of Director of Research and Development of The International Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research and Therapeutic Center in Cairo, briefly called Egypt Center for Research and Regenerative Medicine (ECRRM), to be built near Cairo and the river Nile with a starting budget of approx. $100m supported by the USA and Egyptian authorities. Unfortunately, this project is in ‘ limbo’ at present due to the current Middle East turbulence.
Agamemnon has more than 20 years of experience as a biopharmaceutical industry executive. He founded (1988) and served (1990-2001) as Chairman and R&D Director of Antisoma plc, an oncology-focused biotechnology company listed on the London Stock Exchange now trading as Sarossa plc (sarossaplc.com). He co-founded (2001) and served as Chairman (2001-2004) of Lipoxen plc, a drug delivery and vaccine company listed on the AIM Market (now trading on NASDAQ as Xenetic Biosciences (xeneticbio.com). He also founded (2004) and served as President and CEO (2004-2007) of Somanta Inc. a US cancer therapeutics company listed on the USA OTC/BB. Somanta was acquired in 2007 by Access Pharma Inc., a cancer therapeutics company now trading on NASDAQ as Abeona Therapeutics (abeonatherapeutics.com). He co-founded Trojantec Ltd and Alexis Biotech Ltd cancer therapeutic companies, which unfortunately ceased business.
He co- founded with Kyriacos Matsis and is chairing a private company Lifeline Biotech (lifelinecordblood.com) a stem cell storage company developing regenerative medicine cell products.
He founded and is the Chairman and CEO of a private company Anastasis Biotec Ltd (anastasisbiotec.com) developing human proteins to inhibit cancer driving mutations.
PRESENT APPOINTMENTS
Clinical
2020 - present:
Consultant in Clinical Oncology, practising online primarily in London and Cyprus.
Biotech
1999 - present:
Chairman of Lifeline Biotech Ltd (lifelinecordblood.com)
2021- present:
Chairman and CEO of Anastasis Biotec Ltd (anastasisbiotec.com)
RESEARCH & STUDIES
His research is focussed on novel selective cancer therapeutic proteins.
He has published several articles in peer reviewed journals as well as multiple review articles and abstracts at national and international conferences. He has received much international academic recognition and awards.
A sample of his contributions to biomedical research and clinical oncology include:
British Journal of Cancer 1982, 46: 1
In this study, it was demonstrated in a preclinical model that radiolabelled monoclonal antibodies could selectively localise in vivo to tumours.
This was the first international publication demonstrating that monoclonal antibodies could selectively target cancer in a preclinical in vivo model.
The Lancet 1982, ii : 1004
In this study, it was shown that monoclonal antibodies could detect single tumour cells among other normal tissues.
This was the first international publication demonstrating that monoclonal antibodies could selectively identify cancer cells in effusions.
The Lancet 1982, ii: 999
In this study it was shown that radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies could selectively localise in vivo to primary and metastatic lesions in patients with cancer.
This was the first international publication demonstrating that monoclonal antibodies could selectively target cancer cells in patients with ovarian, breast and colorectal cancer.
The Lancet, 1984, i, 1441
In this study it was shown that radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies could be used therapeutically in patients with cancer.
This was the first international publication demonstrating that radioactively labelled monoclonal antibodies could be used selectively to irradiate cancer cells in patients.
British Medical Journal, 1985, 290, 1463
In this study, it was shown that antibodies directed against Growth Factors and their Receptors such as EGFR could produce a therapeutic benefit in patients with cancer.
This was the first international publication demonstrating that monoclonal antibodies targeting growth factor receptors could selectively irradiate patients with gliobastoma multiforme.
Br. J. Cancer 2002, 86, 1336-1342
Blood 103(5):1791-1795
These studies demonstrated that by manipulating HLA class I peptide complexes, antiviral and anticancer responses could be generated in vitro and in vivo.
J Clin. Oncol. 2006 Feb 1;24 (4):571-8
This multicentre, multinational phase III trial was described as a well-designed randomized study in patients with ovarian cancer in complete clinical remission and represented a new opportunity for progress.
AACR 2008 abstract # 5283
This study demonstrated that the Notch/Numb signaling is mutated in breast cancer stem cells and that the development of S4, a Notch inhibitor, could eliminate breast cancer stem cells in vivo in a preclinical model.
BMC Cancer 2012, Aug 3, 12:388
This study demonstrated that the generation of a selective cytotoxic protein against p53 mutated cancers could lead to eradication of P53 mutated tumours.
ASCO Annual Meeting 2020,May 29-June 1 abstract 17601
This work entitled ‘Tumour response to a mastermind inhibitor protein’ was an innovative molecular imaging clinical ‘phase I/II’ assessing biodistribution, PK, PD, mode of action, toxicity and efficacy of a novel Mastermind inhibitor prior to entering the clinic.
Briefly,in parallel with his laboratory research and drug development activities, Agamemnon is a practicing Oncologist. He aims to offer the best possible advice and treatment combined with holistic care of the patient.
Email: agamemnon@epenetos.com
Phone : +44 7785 115010