A biodegradable implant capable of providing targeted radiotherapy when adjuvant therapy is needed at the surgery site or tumor bed, for the prevention of recurrence and/or development of micrometastatic disease. keywords: formulation, radiotherapy, 'GI', Brachytherapy

Delivered through biodegradable implant

Highlights

• Brachytherapy has clear advantages over conservative radiotherapy in the treatment of breast and prostate cancer and selected soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities. However, implementation may be problematical, requiring general anesthesia or intravenous sedation, complicated placement procedures (especially in the case of interstitial brachytherapy) and the need for post treatment re-excision for device removal
• These novel polysaccharide hydrogels have a radioactive moiety enabling local high penetration of deep tissue layers with minimal adverse effects
• Application in treatment of breast and prostate cancer and selected soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities

Our Innovation

• A biodegradable hydrogel platform for post-surgical adjuvant radiotherapy at the target site or tumor bed for the prevention of recurrence (microdisease) with minimal adverse effects. The implant erodes and is eliminated from the implantation site by the time the course of therapy is completed. The product spares the need for inconvenient surgical procedures for its removal.

Key Features

• Provides more efficient therapy by virtue of its proximity to the site of surgery
• Contributes to improvement in the patients quality of life
• Allows repetition of procedure as needed for healing process

Development Milestones

• Submitted application for Helsinki approval to carry out a plot trial on humans
• Seeking commercialization opportunities with companies focused on brachytherapy, targeted radiotherapy

The Opportunity

• Post-surgical brachytherapy market was worth $2.9 million in 2003, expected to reach $96.1 million by 2010 

project-id 12-2006-411

Patent application pending (international application filed )