Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: NanoVector to Commercialize First Biologic Nanoparticle Drug Delivery System

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Abstract:
Plant Virus Nanoparticle is Nature's Perfect Vehicle for Targeted Intracellular Cancer Therapeutics

NanoVector to Commercialize First Biologic Nanoparticle Drug Delivery System

Raleigh, NC | Posted on December 3rd, 2008

NanoVector, Inc. announced today that it has licensed the plant virus nanoparticle drug delivery system developed by Professors' Stefan Franzen and Steven Lommel from North Carolina State University. "This is breakaway technology that will finally provide the highly sought after selective targeting of tumors and intracellular delivery of anti-cancer agents for improved efficacy and fewer unpleasant side effects," said Albert Bender, Ph.D., NanoVector CEO. "The plant virus nanoparticle has evolved over millions of years to have several inherent characteristics essential for a successful nanoparticle delivery system and superior to any chemistry based nanoparticle designed and engineered by humans." continued Dr. Bender.

The most important property of the virus is its built-in sensor-actuator system. When the virus carrying the therapeutic agent enters a cell, it senses a change in chemical environment and automatically unloads its cargo. Therefore the highly toxic therapeutic agent is released only in a cell, never in the blood stream as with manmade particles that depend upon capsule degradation or require an external trigger to open the particles for the release of their content. The benefit derived from this feature of the NanoVector nanoparticle is the minimization of the toxic side effects associated with free anti-cancer drugs in the blood stream that attack healthy cells.

A second feature of the plant virus is that its automatic release of cargo is not instantaneous once the virus enters a cell. This allows time for the licensed two-stage targeting in which nuclear importins attached to the nanoparticle guide it into the cell nucleus where it unloads its therapeutic agent, thereby maximizing efficacy and evading the cancer cell defenses. Delivery to the nucleus overcomes multi-drug resistance that occurs with current drug therapies.

Robustly protecting its cargo in very harsh environments is another property of the NanoVector plant virus nanoparticle. Unlike other viruses, the NanoVector plant virus is non-toxic to humans and, without specific cell targeting, will not accumulate in any body organs or otherwise healthy tissue. This makes it the perfect vehicle for targeted intracellular therapeutics.

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About NanoVector, Inc.
NanoVector is an early stage biopharmaceutical company commercializing targeted intracellular therapeutics. The plant virus nanoparticle drug delivery platform will be used to develop a family of targeted delivery, encapsulated cytotoxic drugs that are currently non cell-selective for the $43B/yr worldwide cancer markets. NanoVector will also form strategic partnerships with pharmaceutical companies for joint development of targeted intracellular therapeutics for a wide range of indications.

NanoVector received a Small Business Research Loan from North Carolina Biotechnology Center and is in the process of raising a $1,000,000 seed round to fund taking the first drug through preclinical toxicity, safety, and stability studies required to submit an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the FDA.

For more information, please click here

Contacts:
NanoVector, Inc.
Albert Bender, Ph.D.
CEO
919-878-8464

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