NanoTARG studies the use of a novel biomarker as the target marker of tumor cells in vivo to unambiguously target a nanocarrier containing a therapeutic for simultaneous diagnosis and treatment.

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide and is projected to be the third by 2025. It has the lowest 5-year survival rate (8%).The reason for these dismal results primarily relies on the lack of screening methods and early diagnosis. Consequently, the treatment strategy is highly inefficient. Surgery is the only potential curative treatment however only 20% are susceptible for resection and the majority is recurrent within a year. Adjuvant chemotherapy is the gold standard. Recent findings in clinical trials show modest therapeutic benefits when administering multimodal chemotherapy. Abraxane and Onyvide (marketed nanomedicines) were approved by an overall survival rate increase of less than 2 months. Nevertheless, toxicity due to unspecific drug distribution, poor drug availability at the tumour site due to accelerated metabolization are still some key limitations of chemotherapy.

THE TECHNOLOGY

NanoTARG produces an innovative pharmaceutical form for pancreatic cancer treatment. It is a nanomedicine consisting on biodegradable nanocapsules functionalized with a directing vector targeting a cancer biomarker exclusively located in the pancreatic tumour cells.

A monoclonal murine antibody has been developed and is also available for research and diagnostic licensing. This antibody has been included in the filed PCT.

ADVANTAGES

• Higher level of accuracy in delivering drugs than present methods.
• Can be extrapolated to other tumours expressing the biomarker (e.g. lung, ovarian).
• Can encapsulate a diagnostic agent for molecular computed tomography early diagnosis.
• Can encapsulate two active ingredients (e.g. gentamicine and paclitaxel).
• The nanocapsule has itself a therapeutic effect on tumour progression.
• The nanocapsule can combine diagnosis and therapy.

STATE OF DEVELOPMENT

The technology has been validated in vivo (xenographs and orthoxenographs). NanoTARG can be manufactured with semi-industrial scalability, the design of the nanocapsules is flexible, being able to load an active ingredient. The nanocapsules’ components can be FDA/EMA/GRAS approved with GMP certificates.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

An EU patent has been filed in March 2020, obtaining a positive patentability report and it has been extended to a PCT in March 2021.

MARKET OPPORTUNITY

Besides the societal need, there is also a market need and pancreatic cancer is a dynamic market. The expected pancreatic cancer treatment market size worth is $4.2Billions, while the global nanoparticle drug market is estimated to reach over USD 200B by 2024 due to the immediate necessity of a valid treatment.

COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITY

Technology available for licensing with technical cooperation.

CONTACT

Cinta Diez, PhD

Senior Project Manager in Life Sciences

Innovation Unit – UPF Business Shuttle

Pompeu Fabra University

T.+34.93.316.09.13

[email protected]

[email protected]

KEYWORDS

nanoparticles, nanocarriers, biomarker, zinc transporter, cancer, diagnosis, treatment, therapy