Company > Research

Research Projects

Prostate Cancer

Yasoo Health Ltd has been awarded a research grant from the Cyprus Research Promotion Foundation (RPF, www.research.org.cy) to support its research and development work on the identification and development of chemo-preventive/chemotherapeutic agents for the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer.

The grant, worth in excess of $236,000 over the next two years, is a continuation and expansion of the collaboration between Yasoo and the University of Cyprus.  Yasoo is collaborating with the University of Perugia, Italy, for the first time with the aim to strengthen its research activities in the field of prostate cancer.

Over half a million new cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed every year worldwide, and the cancer is the direct cause of over 200,000 deaths. More worryingly, the incidence of the disease is increasing with a rise of 1.7 per cent over 15 years. Yasoo's scientists have identified in the past few years a number of vitamin E synthetic derivatives that have anti-cancer activity in in vitro cell systems. This latest award will aim to further investigate the anti-cancer potency of these novel vitamin E synthetic derivatives in an animal model of prostate cancer. The ultimate goal will be to subsequently develop these compounds into safe and effective commercial products.

Neurodevelopmental Challenges

A pilot study was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a novel and highly bioavailable nutritional supplement designed specifically for Autism Spectrum Disorder patients in improving biochemical and clinical outcomes. The pilot study indicated beneficial effects on the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) in all areas, including Speech/Language Comprehension, Sociability, Sensory/Cognitive Awareness, and Health/Physical Behaviors. A full clinical study is now in progress. To view the abstract of the pilot study, click here.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Yasoo Health Ltd was awarded a research grant from the European organization EUREKA (www.eureka.be) to support its research and development work on a product for the management and adjuvant therapy of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). IBD (which includes Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis) is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting millions of people worldwide, often exacerbated by malabsorption of important nutrients and antioxidants. The anti-inflammatory effectiveness of antioxidant / anti-inflammatory compounds is being evaluated in cell and animal models of inflammation, with human clinical studies planned.

Cancer Chemoprevention Research Program

Yasoo Health Ltd received a research grant from the Cyprus Research Promotion Foundation (www.research.org.cy) to support its research and development work on the identification and development of chemo-preventive products for the prevention and treatment of prostate and breast cancer.  Yasoo’s scientists have identified a number of lead compounds that have anti–cancer activity in in vitro cell systems.

Type 2 Diabetes Research Program

Yasoo Health Ltd was awarded a research grant from the Cyprus Research Promotion Foundation (www.research.org.cy) to support its research and development work on the development of novel, antioxidant-rich formulations for the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes and its complications. Free radicals and oxidative stress are not only implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetes but they are also responsible for causing diabetes-related complications. The research will be completed by Yasoo’s subsidiary Diabetes Research Technologies Ltd. (DRT) at the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics (www.cing.org.cy) and in collaboration with Dr Klearchos Papas, Assistant Professor at the Diabetes Institute of Immunology and Transplantation, University of Minnesota. DRT has established a novel animal model for type 2 diabetes, which is being used to evaluate the efficacy of novel antioxidant formulations in improving diabetes control and reducing the risk of diabetes complications.

Research Scientists

Vicky Hadjivassiliou, PhD, Research and Development Manager
Vicky Hadjivassiliou received her BSc from the University of Birmingham, UK, in Biochemistry and her PhD from the University of Sussex, UK, in the area of Diabetes. She worked as a post-doctoral fellow at the University of California, San Diego in the area of gene therapy for Diabetes. Upon joining Yasoo Health, Dr. Hadjivassiliou received funding from the Research Promotion Foundation in Cyprus, and is responsible for grant writing and for the management of a number of research projects at Yasoo Health.

Constantina Constantinou, PhD, Research and Development Manager
Constantinou Constantinou received her BA from Cornell University as a Fulbright Scholar, her Msc from University College London, and her PhD from St. George’s, University of London, in the fields of Microbiology and Biochemistry, as a holder of scholarships awarded by the Overseas Research Awards Scheme, the Cancer Prevention Trust and the A. G. Leventis Foundation. She conducted post-doctoral research at St. George’s, University of London, in cancer research. Dr Constantinou has a number of original publications in major scientific journals, and is responsible for the management of several research projects at Yasoo Health.

Catherine O’Dowd Phanis, PhD, Research Scientist
Catherine O’Dowd Phanis received her B.Sc. degree from University College Dublin, Ireland and her Ph.D. from Imperial College in London.  She then worked as a post doctoral research fellow at the Immunology Department of the United Medical and Dental School at Guy’s Hospital, London doing molecular and immunological research on cervical cancer.  Upon moving to Cyprus, she worked as a research scientist on breast cancer at the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics before joining Yasoo Health.