Imageable intratumoral depot for sustained TLR7/8 activation
CarboCell is a platform technology that provides sustained, image-guided intratumoral drug delivery. By forming a stable in situ depot, it delivers high payloads of immune-stimulatory drugs directly to the tumor microenvironment, inducing localized immune activation and systemic anti-tumor responses while reducing off-target systemic toxicity. CarboCell is compatible with standard thin-needle clinical procedures and offers inherent visibility under imaging modalities like ultrasound, MRI, and CT to ensure precise treatment placement.
Overview
CarboCell is an innovative drug delivery technology developed to address the challenges of traditional intratumoral immunotherapy, such as the rapid washout of drugs from the tumor microenvironment (TME) and the poor systemic tolerability of immune-activating agents. By forming an in situ, positionally stable depot upon injection, CarboCell provides sustained, high-payload delivery of single or multiple therapeutic agents directly to the tumor. This sustained release creates a localized hot spot for immune cell training and polarization, driving a more effective, coordinated anti-tumor immune response while minimizing systemic exposure and toxicity.
Technical specifications
- Composition: A liquid formulation consisting of carbohydrate esters, triglycerides, biodegradable polymers, and ethanol as a solvent.
- Mechanism: The liquid self-assembles into a semi-solid scaffold or depot upon contact with tissue or water following injection.
- Delivery: Compatible with standard, thin-needle, image-guided injection technologies.
- Imaging: Features inherent contrast properties, making the depot visible via ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography (CT), which allows for accurate positioning and post-treatment monitoring.
- Flexibility: The composition can be tailored to control drug release kinetics, supporting the synchronized delivery of drug combinations, such as Toll-like receptor 7/8 (TLR7/8) agonists and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) inhibitors.
Technology readiness level
The technology is at TRL 4 (Lab validation). Research has demonstrated its performance in preclinical tumor models, including the successful induction of complete tumor rejection and systemic anti-tumor immunity in mice and sustained retention in canine models. The technology is supported by published studies detailing its therapeutic performance, biodistribution, and clinical compatibility for image-guided administration.
About University of Copenhagen
The University of Copenhagen is a comprehensive public research university and one of Denmark’s largest, pairing fundamental discovery with industry-facing programs. An urban innovation district connects campus sites with university hospitals and incubators, enabling co-located labs, shared core facilities, and routes for clinical and industrial translation. Companies work through contract research, sponsored collaborations, and industry PhD pathways, while proximity to the Medicon Valley cluster strengthens recruitment and joint development. Research is supported by competitive European and Danish funding, including Horizon Europe and national research foundations, plus significant philanthropic backing. A dedicated technology transfer office manages IP, licensing, and startup formation with streamlined, industry-ready agreements.
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