2415653
Project Grant
Overview
Grant Description
Sttr Phase I: Preventing tumor recurrence by heat-triggered drug delivery
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project relates to a novel cancer therapy that addresses cancer regrowth after surgical therapy.
Surgical removal of cancerous tumors is the first-line therapy for many cancers.
In 30-40% of patients for certain cancers, cancerous cells remain after surgery that result in tumor recurrence.
Such tumor recurrence is associated with worse prognosis and these patients often have limited treatment options.
This project will develop technology that can deliver a large amount of chemotherapy precisely to the tissue where remnant cancer cells are anticipated after surgical tumor removal.
The approach is based on heat-sensitive lipid particles that encapsulate the chemotherapy.
When exposed to temperatures in the fever range, the lipid particles release the chemotherapy in the heated tissue regions.
This approach enables the precisely targeted delivery of chemotherapy drugs to tissue with remnant cancer cells.
If successful, this technology could cure many of those patients that would otherwise face tumor recurrence.
Furthermore, the often-costly follow-up treatments will be avoided, making the approach cost-effective.
This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project will develop a novel device for the targeted delivery of chemotherapy agents to tissue surrounding surgically removed tumors.
The device is based on an infrared laser which can be precisely targeted to the intended tissue region.
The laser will be computer controlled to heat the tissue indicated by a physician to accurately controlled temperatures, triggering drug release in this tissue region.
Furthermore, drug release will be monitored by an imaging technology that will be developed as part of this project.
This imaging technology will provide feedback on the amount of chemotherapy delivered, and location of delivery.
The research objectives are:
(1) Build and test a device prototype.
The testing procedures will ensure that a targeted region can be heated to accurate temperatures.
The imaging system component will be evaluated in terms of accuracy and sensitivity.
(2) Large animal studies.
These studies will confirm prototype operation in living organisms, where mock surgeries will be performed.
The animal studies will confirm that adequate chemotherapy amount can be delivered to tissue surrounding a surgically removed specimen.
Furthermore, the animal studies will ensure that no unintended organ damage occurs before transition to studies in human patients.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
Subawards are planned for this award.
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project relates to a novel cancer therapy that addresses cancer regrowth after surgical therapy.
Surgical removal of cancerous tumors is the first-line therapy for many cancers.
In 30-40% of patients for certain cancers, cancerous cells remain after surgery that result in tumor recurrence.
Such tumor recurrence is associated with worse prognosis and these patients often have limited treatment options.
This project will develop technology that can deliver a large amount of chemotherapy precisely to the tissue where remnant cancer cells are anticipated after surgical tumor removal.
The approach is based on heat-sensitive lipid particles that encapsulate the chemotherapy.
When exposed to temperatures in the fever range, the lipid particles release the chemotherapy in the heated tissue regions.
This approach enables the precisely targeted delivery of chemotherapy drugs to tissue with remnant cancer cells.
If successful, this technology could cure many of those patients that would otherwise face tumor recurrence.
Furthermore, the often-costly follow-up treatments will be avoided, making the approach cost-effective.
This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project will develop a novel device for the targeted delivery of chemotherapy agents to tissue surrounding surgically removed tumors.
The device is based on an infrared laser which can be precisely targeted to the intended tissue region.
The laser will be computer controlled to heat the tissue indicated by a physician to accurately controlled temperatures, triggering drug release in this tissue region.
Furthermore, drug release will be monitored by an imaging technology that will be developed as part of this project.
This imaging technology will provide feedback on the amount of chemotherapy delivered, and location of delivery.
The research objectives are:
(1) Build and test a device prototype.
The testing procedures will ensure that a targeted region can be heated to accurate temperatures.
The imaging system component will be evaluated in terms of accuracy and sensitivity.
(2) Large animal studies.
These studies will confirm prototype operation in living organisms, where mock surgeries will be performed.
The animal studies will confirm that adequate chemotherapy amount can be delivered to tissue surrounding a surgically removed specimen.
Furthermore, the animal studies will ensure that no unintended organ damage occurs before transition to studies in human patients.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
Subawards are planned for this award.
Awardee
Funding Goals
THE GOAL OF THIS FUNDING OPPORTUNITY, "NSF SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR)/ SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER (STTR) PROGRAMS PHASE I", IS IDENTIFIED IN THE LINK: HTTPS://WWW.NSF.GOV/PUBLICATIONS/PUB_SUMM.JSP?ODS_KEY=NSF23515
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding / Funding Agency
Place of Performance
Charleston,
South Carolina
29414-7328
United States
Geographic Scope
Single Zip Code
Oncoblaze was awarded
Project Grant 2415653
worth $275,000
from National Science Foundation in August 2024 with work to be completed primarily in Charleston South Carolina United States.
The grant
has a duration of 1 year and
was awarded through assistance program 47.084 NSF Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships.
The Project Grant was awarded through grant opportunity NSF Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I Programs.
SBIR Details
Research Type
STTR Phase I
Title
STTR Phase I: Preventing Tumor Recurrence by Heat-Triggered Drug Delivery
Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project relates to a novel cancer therapy that addresses cancer regrowth after surgical therapy. Surgical removal of cancerous tumors is the first-line therapy for many cancers. In 30-40% of patients for certain cancers, cancerous cells remain after surgery that result in tumor recurrence. Such tumor recurrence is associated with worse prognosis and these patients often have limited treatment options. This project will develop technology that can deliver a large amount of chemotherapy precisely to the tissue where remnant cancer cells are anticipated after surgical tumor removal. The approach is based on heat-sensitive lipid particles that encapsulate the chemotherapy. When exposed to temperatures in the fever range, the lipid particles release the chemotherapy in the heated tissue regions. This approach enables the precisely targeted delivery of chemotherapy drugs to tissue with remnant cancer cells. If successful, this technology could cure many of those patients that would otherwise face tumor recurrence. Furthermore, the often-costly follow-up treatments will be avoided, making the approach cost-effective.
This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project will develop a novel device for the targeted delivery of chemotherapy agents to tissue surrounding surgically removed tumors. The device is based on an infrared laser which can be precisely targeted to the intended tissue region. The laser will be computer controlled to heat the tissue indicated by a physician to accurately controlled temperatures, triggering drug release in this tissue region. Furthermore, drug release will be monitored by an imaging technology that will be developed as part of this project. This imaging technology will provide feedback on amount of chemotherapy delivered, and location of delivery. The research objectives are: (1) Build and test a device prototype. The testing procedures will ensure that a targeted region can be heated to accurate temperatures. The imaging system component will be evaluated in terms of accuracy and sensitivity. (2) Large animal studies. These studies will confirm prototype operation in living organisms, where mock surgeries will be performed. The animal studies will confirm that adequate chemotherapy amount can be delivered to tissue surrounding a surgically removed specimen. Furthermore, the animal studies will ensure that no unintended organ damage occurs before transition to studies in human patients.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
Topic Code
BM
Solicitation Number
NSF 23-515
Status
(Complete)
Last Modified 8/13/24
Period of Performance
8/1/24
Start Date
7/31/25
End Date
Funding Split
$275.0K
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$275.0K
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
2415653
SAI Number
None
Award ID URI
SAI EXEMPT
Awardee Classifications
Small Business
Awarding Office
491503 TRANSLATIONAL IMPACTS
Funding Office
491503 TRANSLATIONAL IMPACTS
Awardee UEI
N9E1JKA4FAE4
Awardee CAGE
None
Performance District
SC-06
Senators
Lindsey Graham
Tim Scott
Tim Scott
Modified: 8/13/24