Endocyte's technology and therapeutic focus are derived from groundbreaking research conducted in the late-1980s and first published in 1991. Philip Low, PhD, a biochemist at Purdue University, together with fellow Purdue biochemist Chris Leamon, PhD, now vice president of research at Endocyte, were the first to discover a mechanism to exploit the folate receptors as a means to deliver bio-active molecules inside cells. Using this strategy, the vitamin would “carry” an attached drug directly to targeted cells and then into the targeted cells interior using a normal pathway for vitamin uptake. 

Recognizing the potential to advance the promising applications of receptor-targeted therapeutics, Dr. Low joined with Ron Ellis and investors to found Endocyte. Today, the company has a growing pipeline of product candidates in various stages of development.