April 6, 2009 Emerging nanomedicine company Nanobiotix says that an independent preclinical study has validated the applicability of using its “nanoPDT” nanoparticles to treat glioblastoma multiforme, one of the most prevalent brain tumors. Nanobiotix expects to attract corporate partners for the development of nanoPDT as the company focuses development efforts on its nanoXray technology, the firm said in a news release.

Co-funded by Nanobiotix and Cancéropôle Lyon Auvergne Rhône-Alpes (‘CLARA’), the proof-of-concept preclinical study was conducted by the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research (INSERM) under principal investigator and neuro-oncologist Jérôme Honnorat.

“Our nanotechnology is designed to allow for the precise destruction of cancer cells via the controlled application of an outside-the-body energy source — in this case, a laser beam. Of course, there is much more work to be done, but we are extremely encouraged by these preclinical findings, which dramatically demonstrate the therapeutic effect of nanoparticles on glioblastoma and open the possibility of a new weapon with which neuro-oncologists might fight this difficult-to-treat tumor,” said Laurent Lévy, Ph.D., president and CEO of Nanobiotix and co-president of the French Technology Platform on Nanotechnology (FTPN).

“The nanoPDT particles allow for the controlled generation of physical reactions in targeted cells when triggered by the application of an external energy source — a laser beam in this case. This may have significant ramifications for cancer therapy in the not-too-distant future,” added Paras N. Prasad, one of the inventors of the Nanobiotix technology.