Dec. 5, 2002 – Triton BioSystems Inc. and Thermonix Inc. said they have merged to focus on nano-based therapies for advanced breast cancer.

The firms, which had been business partners but were independently developing treatments, said the merger gives them stronger intellectual property and boosts product development. Minneapolis-based Thermonix will relocate to Triton’s Chelmsford, Mass.-based headquarters and assume Triton’s name, according to a news release.

They now are developing a Targeted Nano-Therapeutics system that consists of magnetic nanomaterials bound to monoclonal antibodies — forming what’s called a bioprobe — and a device capable of generating a magnetic field. A doctor injects millions of bioprobes into a cancer patient’s body and they attach to cancer cells. Once activated by magnetic energy, the bioprobes kill the selected cancer cells — sparing surrounding healthy tissue.

Triton hopes to begin human trials in 2004, the release said.