The data from numerous pre-clinical research programs completed by Aura Biosciences shows that the company’s NanoSmart platform is able to detect distant metastases and cancers early and offers accurately focused treatment for those cancers.
Aura Biosciences has amassed an additional amount of $4.5 million through private investors to progress its programs to the clinic. The company has also inked a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the National Institute of Health to develop the preliminary results determined at Dr. John Schiller’s lab located at the NCI and to commercialize the technology.
NanoSphere Particles (NSPs) have a selective affinity towards epithelial-derived cancer cells and form the basis of the Nanosmart platform, a proprietary technology platform of Aura Biosciences. The NanoSmart method for analyzing cancer metastases involves encapsulating FDA-qualified fluorescing molecules into NSPs, which then enters into cancerous cells by selectively targeting affected tissue and then emits a fluorescent signal that can be viewed in real time using medical imaging.
In the second stage, a chemotherapeutic drug can be encapsulated into the same NSP transporter to supply a lethal dose straightway into the cancer cells, apparently enhancing the efficiency of the drug, while significantly decreasing lethal side effects.
Aura Biosciences has successfully conducted proof of principle investigations and has achieved exceptional results with topical supply of siRNA for HPV-related cancer treatment, demonstrating 90% of target gene silencing in vivo. These findings are vital in treating preliminary stage HPV-related tumors, including non-melanoma skin cancer, neck and head cancers, and cervical and anal dysplasia.
Source: http://www.aurabiosciences.com