Non-invasive targeted CNS delivery using microbubble drug conjugates and focused ultrasound
Artenga Inc. presents a novel CNS delivery platform using microbubble drug conjugates (MDCs) and focused ultrasound (FUS) for targeted, non-invasive treatment, enhancing drug concentration in brain regions and boosting anti-tumor effects without added risks.
Overview
Artenga Inc. introduces a cutting-edge solution for non-invasive, targeted delivery of drugs across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) using microbubble drug conjugates (MDCs) in combination with focused ultrasound (FUS). This innovative approach significantly enhances the concentration of therapeutic agents, such as oligonucleotides, in specific brain regions, offering effective treatment options for central nervous system (CNS) disorders, including brain tumors and neurodegenerative diseases. By integrating FUS and MDCs, this platform also amplifies the efficacy of oncology drugs through vascular disruption of tumors, without increasing adverse effects.
Technical specifications
- Microbubble Drug Conjugates (MDCs): Engineered for compatibility with various therapeutic agents, enabling targeted delivery to the CNS.
- Focused Ultrasound (FUS): Utilized for precise disruption of the BBB, facilitating increased drug delivery to specific brain regions.
- Tumor Vascular Disruption (TVD): Enhances the anti-tumor effects of drugs by disrupting tumor vasculature when combined with FUS.
- Applications: Effective for treating brain metastases from lung, breast cancer, or melanoma, and potential use in neurodegenerative diseases.
- Validation Procedures: Initial testing in vitro and in healthy rodents, followed by disease model comparisons to conventional methods.
Technology readiness level
The technology is at TRL 4, indicating it has been validated in a laboratory environment. Future validation plans include in vitro testing of drug potency, in vivo testing in rodent models, and assessment of tumor reduction and survival outcomes.
About Artenga Inc.
Artenga Inc. is an Ottawa-based medical technology company focused on developing drug delivery platforms that integrate focused ultrasound with microbubble drug conjugates. The company's proprietary technology is designed to enable non-invasive, targeted delivery of biologic drugs to specific areas of the body, such as the brain, by temporarily and safely opening the blood-brain barrier. The platform utilizes microbubbles—commonly used in ultrasound imaging—which are functionalized to carry therapeutic payloads. This approach aims to enhance the delivery and absorption of treatments for serious conditions, including cancer and neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease. The company's technical strategy includes the use of clinically scalable, covalent linkers to load large proteins onto microbubbles, providing a specialized method for therapeutic administration.
This technology is intended to address significant unmet medical needs by providing precise, localized treatment options that minimize systemic impact. Artenga has engaged in various collaborative research efforts, partnering with organizations such as the Sunnybrook Research Institute, the National Research Council of Canada, and the University of Helsinki. These collaborations have involved preclinical studies to evaluate the efficacy of their drug delivery platform in treating brain cell damage and enhancing chemotherapy. By focusing on non-invasive therapeutic delivery, Artenga aims to improve clinical outcomes for patients suffering from serious, challenging diseases. The company is led by founder and CEO James Keenan.
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