Nanobiotix, an emerging
nanomedicine company, announced today that an independent preclinical study
has validated the applicability of using its nanoparticles-nanoPDT-to treat
glioblastoma multiforme, one of the most prevalent brain tumors. Nanobiotix
expects to attract corporate partners for the development of nanoPDT as the
Company focuses development efforts on its nanoXray technology.
Co-funded by Nanobiotix and Cancéropôle Lyon Auvergne Rhône-Alpes
('CLARA'), the 'proof-of-concept' preclinical study was conducted by the French
National Institute for Health and Medical Research ('INSERM') under principal
investigator and neuro-oncologist Prof. and Med. dr. Jérôme Honnorat.
"Our nanotechnology is designed to allow for the precise destruction of
cancer cells via the controlled application of an outside-the-body energy source-in
this case, a laser beam. Of course, there is much more work to be done, but
we are extremely encouraged by these preclinical findings, which dramatically
demonstrate the therapeutic effect of nanoparticles on glioblastoma and open
the possibility of a new weapon with which neuro-oncologists might fight this
difficult-to-treat tumor," said Laurent Lévy, Ph.D., President and
CEO of Nanobiotix and Co-President of the French Technology Platform on Nanotechnology
(FTPN).
"The nanoPDT particles allow for the controlled generation of physical
reactions in targeted cells when triggered by the application of an external
energy source-a laser beam in this case. This may have significant ramifications
for cancer therapy in the not-too-distant future," added Paras N. Prasad,
Ph.D., one of the world's leading authorities on nanotechnology and one of the
inventors of the Nanobiotix technology. Dr. Prasad is a co-founder of Nanobiotix
and Executive Director of the Institute for Lasers, Photonics and Biophotonics
at SUNY (Buffalo).