Breast cancer diagnoses have risen sharply in Iowa, which now ranks ninth in the United States (U.S.) for incidence. Since 2019, UI Pharmaceuticals (UIP) has supported Zetagen Therapeutics—a clinical-stage biotech company developing novel treatments for advanced breast cancer—by providing manufacturing and analytical services.

As part of this collaboration, UIP has manufactured ZetaMast™, Zetagen’s drug candidate designed to treat aggressive breast cancers that spread to the liver. The product is produced as a sterile solution and formulated as a two-part material: a liquid that is combined with a sterile powder to form a putty. More than half of women with advanced breast cancer face liver involvement, and existing treatments typically extend life by only about nine months.

"Our client's success is our success, and every successful therapy we help bring to life gets us closer to our mission of improving the quality of patients' lives."  -Hima Bindu Gottam, Director of Formulation Development

ZetaMast™ delivers therapy directly to liver tumors, concentrating treatment where it’s needed while minimizing side effects. In preclinical studies, ZetaMast™ reduced tumor volume by a factor of four compared with the standard chemotherapy drug doxorubicin in models of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) that had metastasized to the liver.

ZetaMast™ is a drug-eluting carrier that delivers small molecules directly into liver tumors, aiming to reduce side effects and extend tumor control. Experts say this locoregional approach may improve survival outcomes in patients with advanced metastatic disease.

“Most traditional cancer therapies cannot distinguish between healthy and malignant cells, leaving patients to endure devastating side effects that extend far beyond their treatment. Learning about the success of this targeted drug delivery system and knowing our work at UI Pharmaceuticals contributes to this breakthrough therapy fills us with profound pride! Our client's success is our success, and every successful therapy we help bring to life gets us closer to our mission of improving the quality of patients' lives,” said Hima Bindu Gottam, Director of Formulation Development.

The company has secured a U.S. patent for ZetaMast™ and has filed for FDA Orphan Drug Designation. Zetagen plans to begin human clinical trials in early 2026.