Torigen Pharmaceuticals Wins the 2018 Animal Health Innovation Award

FARMINGTON, Conn., Sept. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Torigen Pharmaceuticals, a company developing personalized cancer immunotherapies for the veterinary market, has been awarded the prestigious 2018 Innovation Award at the 10th Annual KC Animal Health Corridor Investment Forum in Kansas City, MO.

Torigen was among 12 emerging animal health companies selected by a committee of leading agricultural and animal health experts that pitched for the top honor in a "Shark Tank" style format. Each company was given ten minutes to present their company followed by a five-minute Q&A session with scientists and top executives from within the animal health industry. The event attracted over 1,000 animal health industry executives, venture capital firms, investors and potential partners. As the winner, Torigen receives a $10,000 prize.

"Cancer rates in pets are increasing and existing treatment options are impractical or too expensive for many pet owners," said Torigen's CEO Ashley Kalinauskas, "This recognition from industry leaders validates the innovative work we are doing at Torigen and should facilitate new interest in our company from the entire animal health community."

Select veterinarians throughout the U.S are currently using Torigen's experimental companion animal cancer treatment, which utilizes a portion of the patient's own tumor that is sent to Torigen's laboratory for creation of a personalized vaccine. The company was created by Kalinauskas as part of her graduate thesis project at the University of Notre Dame, working alongside advisor and co-founder, Dr. Mark Suckow.

"The KC Animal Health Investment Forum offers one of the only opportunities in the world for early-stage companies in the animal health sector to present their vision and business plan to potential investors and industry partners," said Kimberly Young, President of the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor. "The event is the premier stage for emerging companies to showcase innovations and technologies. Torigen was selected based on their potential to revolutionize cancer therapies within the animal health industry."

About Torigen Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Torigen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is focused on delivering affordable companion animal immuno-oncology products. Their initial patented product line utilizes a portion of the pet-patient's tumor to create a personalized cancer vaccine. With over 10 years of supporting pre-clinical publications, the Torigen team is focused on developing innovative veterinary cancer biologics that allow for the body to recognize foreign tumor-associated antigens and facilitate the reversal of immune senescence. For more information, please visit http://www.torigen.com.

About the KC Animal Health Corridor
Companies with a business location in the KC Animal Health Corridor account for more than half of the sales generated by the global animal health industry. The Corridor, anchored by Manhattan, Kansas, and Columbia, Missouri, is home to more than 300 animal health companies, representing the largest concentration in the world. For more information, visit http://www.kcanimalhealth.com.

SOURCE Torigen Pharmaceuticals Inc.