Established in fall 2002, the SenesTech story begins with President and CEO, Loretta P. Mayer, Ph.D. In December 2000 Dr. Mayer was awarded her Ph.D. in Biology from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona. The following January Dr. Mayer accepted a post-doctoral position at the University of Arizona’s Department of Physiology in Dr. Patricia B. Hoyer’s laboratory.
Dr. Hoyer is well-known in the scientific community for her 17- years of work investigating the mechanism by which the occupational chemical 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD) selectively depletes small primordial and primary follicles in the ovaries of mice and rats. While at the University of Arizona in Dr. Hoyer’s lab, Dr. Mayer determined the dosing regimen required to produce results for complete elimination of primordial and primary follicles. Primordial and primary follicle pools in the ovary are non-renewable therefore, elimination of these follicle types results in irreversible ovarian failure (sterility). Drs. Hoyer and Mayer’s studies have shown that VCD-induced premature ovarian failure in mice results in an endocrine state that mimics conditions of human peri- and post-menopause.
With this new discovery the possibilities for application of this knowledge became overwhelming. For the first time an animal model was developed that mimicked menopause without the removal of ovaries, unlike the ovariectomized mice model. In collaboration with Dr. Cheryl Dyer, the follicle-deplete ovary was shown to produce hormones that are relevant to model perimenopause. This new model would allow researchers to study menopausal pathologies in an animal model which more- closely mimics human. The technology is currently the subject of a US patent pending by the University of Arizona with Drs. Mayer and Hoyer as inventors.
In the summer of 2002, SenesTech was formed as an L.L.C. in the state of Arizona. In 2004 SenesTech LLC became the wholly owned subsidiary of SenesTech, Inc. a Nevada Corporation.
In addition to work being done in mice, other mammalian models are being developed. “The work being done in domesticated animals is amazing,” said Dr. Mayer. “By applying this technology to other animal models we will be able to develop a non-surgical, non-invasive sterilization product.” This new product would serve as an alternative to surgically spaying female animals, lowering the risk of post-surgical infection and complications, and provide a safe cost-effective method of animal population control.
To pursue the development of a non-surgical chemical sterilization product, the science team of SenesTech has been working on the Navajo Reservation to address the serious problem of feral dogs. To date proof-of-concept studies have shown that the active ingredient is efficacious and safe in dogs.
In 2007 we began applying our revolutionary technology to the control of the Southeast Asian Rice Rat in order to increase rice production. We believe that with the application of our product, ContraPest™, we will be able to feed at least an additional 380 million people annually within three years. SenesTech is developing strategic partnerships with international industry partners, non-profit institutions, and universities to accelerate the translation of its platform technology into marketable products within 24 months.
SenesTech continues to maintain contractual arrangements with Northern Arizona University to provide employment and international research opportunities to NAU students, faculty, and staff.
All of the work being done at SensTech springs from the same goal, to improve the reproductive health and quality of life for all female mammals. In addition to this mission SenesTech feels it is imperative to educate people not only about the work they are doing, but women’s health issues in general.
There are many applications and products that will emerge from this platform technology and the future is bright.