Nanotechnology research is a growing, major business opportunity—the newest expanding opportunity for commercial and human benefit. MaRS Innovation (MI) has accepted the disclosure of a novel future entry into this marketplace from its partners at the University Health Network (UHN) and the University of Toronto (U of T).
Radiation oncologist Dr. David Jaffray, a senior scientist at UHN’s Ontario Cancer Institute, with appointments at Princess Margaret Hospital and U of T; and Dr. Christine Allen of U of T’s Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy have invented a contrast-agent imaging technology that uses nano-particles to deliver targeted agents to specific types of tumours. The nano materials are around 100 nanometres in size, with a nanometer being one billionth of a metre.
The nano-particle technology offers unique improvements over current contrast agents. Today, different individual agents are required for different imaging modes (MRI, CT, PET). The creation of particles with multiple contrast agents for use in multiple imaging modes means that physicians and researchers can use lower doses of contrast agents, with consequent lower toxicity, in diagnosis and treatment. Researchers are actively seeking access to samples. Through sourcing funding and identifying potential, expanded medical applications for the technology, MI is now helping to move the contrast agent through production of commercial samples for further pre-clinical testing.
As commercialization lead on its partners’ intellectual property, MI has also helped build the business case to spin the technology out to a company, for ultimate human benefit. “This technology could revolutionize what is a multi-billion-dollar market, encompassing both the research and clinical-care sectors,” says Dr. Rafi Hofstein, President and CEO of MI.
“With the completion of the pre-clinical phase,” he adds, “we will be offering investors a two-pronged technology–multiple imaging with potential multiple applications in disease. Bundled science in a bundled business package.”
