Early cancer detection specialist Imagion Biosystems Limited (ASX: IBX) has entered into a Joint Development Agreement with Global Cancer Technology (GCT), to develop GCT’s novel nanoscintillator technology for the treatment of breast cancer.
Under the terms of the Agreement, Imagion will be paid for certain R&D services while gaining an ownership interest in the arising GCT nanoscintillator product.
“We are very interested in the unique potential of the nanoscintillator technology and the prospect of leveraging our nanoparticle expertise to develop cancer therapies,” said Bob Proulx, Executive Chairman of Imagion Biosystems.
“We have been working with GCT for this past year and have progressed to the point where we now see a path to product development. This project is value adding to our mission of developing nanoparticle-based imaging agents and therapies. As we continue to develop the MagSense imaging technology, the nanoscintillators provides Imagion with a foothold to a unique high value therapeutic product.”
About Nanoscintillators
The nanoscintillator technology, also known as scintillating nanocrystals, has been licensed by GCT from the University of California San Diego. Scintillators are nontoxic minerals and rare earth elements that emit photons (light) when activated by a low dose of gamma radiation.
Photocleavable linkers release a drug payload when exposed to the small burst of light from the scintillating photons. Since the drug molecules are inactive while linked to the nanoparticle, the nanoscintillator technology enables a controlled release of the therapeutic agent.
This next generation approach, known as x-ray induced photodynamic therapy, has the potential to deliver a more localized and effective dose of drug product to treat cancers because x-rays can penetrate deep tissue. There are more than 400 dedicated stereotactic radiosurgery systems in the US that could be used in combination with the nanoscintillator therapy.
Imagion Biosystems is developing a new non-radioactive and safe diagnostic imaging technology. Combining biotechnology and nanotechnology the Company aims to detect cancer and other diseases earlier and with higher specificity than is currently possible.