ONCOGEL
Technology description
| The name of the technology: | ONCOGEL |
|---|---|
| Challenge: | Photodynamic therapy of malignant tumors has become an advanced and routine therapy for selected cancer diagnoses. Metvix® (Photocure) and Levulan® (Dusapharma), based on δ-aminolevulic acid, have been approved in EU for basaliomas and actinic keratoses in EU. Patients have to wait for 3 to 18 hr (drug-to light time interval) after their application before the 570-670 nm light dose is used to induce a photodynamic effect, which may lead to tumor remission or retardation of tumor growth. To be able to cure almost instantly by light for photodynamic therapy of skin, we have developed “ONKOGEL”, a liposomal gel containing hydrophobic hydroxy-aluminum phthalocyanine. |
| Description: |
Using a patented procedure of microfluidization, a micronized powder of water-insoluble hydroxy-aluminum phthalocyanine microcrystals is mixed with amorphous pharmaceutical grade lecithin in a desired buffer solution. Resulting liposomal suspension is than mixed with a translucent gel. In preclinical testing on nude mice with xenotransplanted human tumors, our patented preparation exhibited drug-to light time interval of 10 min with dose-dependent efficiency for remission of amelanotic melanoma and ultimate nearly 100% efficiency for remission of basalioma. Advantages of ONKOGEL: - Short drug-to-light interval - 670 nm irradiation penetrating more than 2 cm into the skin or tissue - Expected short tumor clearance - Expected high efficiency - Next generation is ready, i.e., patented nanoparticle drug formulation for curing by 980 nm light |
| Commercial opportunity: | We are currently looking for a business partner, who could develop exemplar drug formulations in a quality and with the required auxiliary testing in order to apply for the approval of clinical testing in a phase I & IIa by the state Drug Control Agency (Státní ústav pro kontrolu léčiv, SÚKL). If expectations of the high efficiency for curing human skin cancer turn out to be true, subsequent clinical testing may be organized with a strong partner ready to manufacture the product and complete clinical testing of phase IIb and phase III, in order to register the finalized drug formulation. |
| IP protection status: |
European, Canadian, Norwegian and Czech patents granted based on PCT/CZ2007/000107 |
| Development status: |
Phase 3Corresponds with TRL 5 and TRL 6 Technology validation and implementing it in real environment. Testing the technology outside of the laboratory and its adjustment to external conditions.
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| Partnering strategy: | Co-development Collaboration investment licensing |
| More information: | |
| Images: |
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| Categories: | Pharma |
| Owner of a technology: | 67% Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 33% RCD Limited, Dobřichovice |
