(August 25, 2010) — Cerulean Pharma Inc., which designs and develops nanopharmaceuticals, presented results of a Phase 1 clinical study of CRLX101 (formerly IT-101), Cerulean’s lead clinical development candidate, and pre-clinical data on Cerulean’s development candidate, CRLX288 at the American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting & Exposition, ongoing in Boston, MA.

Cerulean Pharma’s data from a Phase 1 clinical study demonstrates that CRLX101 was well-tolerated as a first-in-class nanopharmaceutical. A key finding from the study was that several patients with advanced and progressive cancer achieved stable disease and continued on CRLX101 therapy for over six months. CRLX101 is currently in Phase 2a clinical development.

Separately, the company also presented pre-clinical findings on CRLX288, a docetaxel nanopharmaceutical. The presentation highlighted animal data that suggest Cerulean’s nanopharmaceutical platform has the potential to improve efficacy and mitigate side effects of a highly efficacious, broadly prescribed chemotherapy. 

Together, CRLX101 and CRLX288 represent promising innovations in cancer therapy. Read more about nano in life sciences/medical applications here.

"Cerulean has made substantial progress with our nanopharmaceutical platform," said Oliver Fetzer, Ph.D., president and CEO of Cerulean. "Our team is successfully advancing our clinical studies in cancer patients and demonstrating in pre-clinical studies our platform technologies’ capabilities. We believe our technologies have broad applicability in advancing new drugs in oncology and other therapeutic areas and overcoming significant clinical hurdles."

CRLX101: Nanopharmaceutical in phase 2a development

John Ryan, Ph.D., M.D., chief medical officer of Cerulean, presented clinical findings on CRLX101. One of the key implications of the Phase 1 study is that Cerulean’s nanopharmaceutical platform technology has successfully transformed camptothecin into a clinical development candidate. Clinical advancement of camptothecin, a promising high potency anti-cancer agent, was terminated years ago due to its challenging pharmaceutical properties and unacceptable toxicity. Cerulean’s nanopharmaceutical technology has begun to address those challenges and has taken CRLX101 through Phase 1 studies and into Phase 2a studies at the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). One of the most notable findings Cerulean reported was that human biopsy data showed that both nanoparticles and free drug in one patient remained in tumor tissues for 14 days after a single dose of CRLX101.

In addition, a poster presentation on CRLX101 detailed Cerulean’s pharmaceutical development effort, advancing highly specialized analytical methods and tools for nanopharmaceutical characterization. Key findings presented include visualization of CRLX101 as stable nanoparticles and accurate measurements of CRLX101 particle size distribution, which represent analytical developments critical to supporting commercial manufacturing.

CRLX288 docetaxel nanopharmaceutical may double survival rate in vivo

Cerulean has designed CRLX288 as a nanopharmaceutical by uniquely embedding docetaxel inside nanoparticles in a configuration that allows for preferential accumulation of the nanopharmaceutical in tumor tissues and controlled, sustained drug release. The nanopharmaceutical design is intended to improve clinical outcome by making docetaxel more efficacious, enabling more patients to receive full-course therapy, and allowing for more versatile drug combination options.

Docetaxel is one of the most widely prescribed chemotherapeutics as a front-line treatment for lung, breast, prostate and ovarian cancers. While highly efficacious, docetaxel treatment is associated with severe myelosuppression, neurotoxicity and drug resistance, resulting in many patients terminating therapy prematurely and tolerating limited drug combinations. 

Key pre-clinical findings presented on CRLX288 include comparative efficacy and toxicity data with docetaxel administered in its current formulation. The animal data showed significant improvement with CRLX288 in key data points, including:

• 100 percent survival at a time point when the comparative animals had all died.
• Delivery of over 20 times more drug to tumor tissue.
• Superior efficacy at every dosing schedule.
• A requirement for less frequent dosing given its controlled, sustained drug release design.
• Ability to shrink large and established tumors, as well as to overcome multi-drug resistance.
• Dramatic reduction of docetaxel-related toxicity, such as bone marrow suppression and neurotoxicity.

The findings on CRLX101 and CRLX288 highlight that Cerulean’s nanoparticles are stable in the bloodstream, preferentially accumulate in target diseased tissues, penetrate deeply in tumors, and are effectively taken up by cancer cells. Once inside cells, the drug payload is released and drug effect appears to be maintained over a meaningful period of time.

Cerulean Pharma Inc. is a clinical-stage company specializing in the design and development of nanopharmaceuticals optimized to make drugs more effective and with fewer side effects. For more information, visit http://www.ceruleanrx.com

Also read: Researchers: DNA-coated CNTs kill cancer, spare tissue

Rice, Baylor device cancer-busting nanoparticle

(August 24, 2010 – PRNewswire) — A high-temperature (1500°C) continuous production microwave furnace is now fully functional at New York’s NanoMaterials Innovation Center (NMIC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Alfred Technology Resources Inc. (ATRI), near the campus of Alfred University. Spheric Technologies, Inc. sold the SPHERIC/SYNO-THERM system and has been providing assistance with set-up, training and beta testing.

In Asia, continuous microwave furnaces are used in the chemical synthesis of phosphors for electronics, lighting materials and more, and for sintering electronic components and other critical ceramic items. Penn State University and Japan’s National Institute for Fusion Science report that microwave furnaces typically use up to 80% less energy than conventional furnaces, producing stronger, finer-grained parts with less deformation and cracking in as little as one-tenth the time. This installation is the first Western Hemisphere use of the high-temp microwave furnace, according to the company. 

A variety of American companies are using the Alfred furnace for proprietary microwave research. For example, Spheric Technologies is performing contract research on the production of ceramic materials for use in the natural resources development industry. Another company is scheduled this month to gauge the system’s utility in producing cement, evaluating energy, time and production cost advantages. A major metals supplier plans to conduct its own metallurgy tests using the furnace. In each case, non-disclosure agreements shield the companies as they evaluate microwave processing to gain a competitive edge in their respective industries. 

Alfred University is a ceramics-focused school with a history of collaborating with industry to pioneer and promote the adoption of innovative technologies. The NMIC provides a wide range of cutting-edge microwave sintering and manufacturing equipment. Researchers will use the Spheric Technologies system to synthesize and consolidate nano-sized ceramic powders into multi-layer and monolithic ceramics, while retaining the enhanced properties associated with nano-structured materials and for other high-temperature materials processes.

The NanoMaterials Innovation Center, a magnet for commercial R&D, is the ultimate showcase for our cost-cutting microwave processing system," said Joseph Hines, Spheric Technologies Chairman and CEO. Jon Wilder, Executive Director of Alfred Technology Resources, commented, "The collaborative efforts of ATRI and its two stakeholders, Alfred University and Corning Incorporated, have enabled the creation of the NanoMaterials Innovation Center. Our vision is to offer a neutral partnering ground to academia and industry for partnering on R&D projects, to promote technology transfer and assist new start-ups that will in turn utilize the incubator and create jobs in the region. The NMIC will be a premier location for this type of R&D due to the unique combination of equipment available in one location and a cost-saving factor to companies who would otherwise need to invest substantial dollars to conduct this type of research. Being able to offer use of highly advanced equipment, such as the Spheric Technologies continuous microwave furnace, brings exciting opportunities for groundbreaking technology development."

Spheric Technologies, Inc. markets high-temperature industrial microwave furnaces and technologies for the processing of powder metals and ceramics, and is developing microwave treatment systems for the mining and wastewater industries. The company has also developed and patented technology for the production of fine-particle, high-purity metal oxides. Information at http://www.SphericTech.com.

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(August 23, 2010) — IDTechEx released its latest report, "Printed & Chipless RFID Forecasts, Technologies & Players 2011-2021," covering the largest potential applications for printed and non-silicon RFID tags and the technology enabling low-cost, non-traditional RFID electronics. (See the broader RFID industry forecast at: IDTechEx releases RFID forecast publication)

RFID biggest opportunities

The biggest opportunity for RFID is the item-level tagging of all things. This ultimately calls for a very low-cost tag, something that some printed and chipless RFID technologies have already demonstrated or have the potential to achieve. Interestingly, few of the biggest chip RFID suppliers are working on these technologies. Instead, printers, packagers and electronics and materials companies are leading development, some seeing the ultra low cost RFID tag as just the beginning — with integrated ultra low cost components such as displays, sensors and power to come. (For information on the active RFID/sensor market forecasts, see: IDTechEx launches active RFID and sensor networks report

Ten year forecasts

RFID tags that do not contain a silicon chip are called chipless tags — some of which can be printed. The primary potential benefit of the most promising chipless tags is that eventually they could be printed directly on products and packaging for 0.1 cents and replace ten trillion barcodes yearly with something far more versatile and reliable. The next ten years will see a rapid gain in market share of mainstream printed and chipless RFID tags. The numbers sold globally will rise from 12 million in 2011 to 209 billion in 2021. By value, chipless versions will rise from less than $1.38 million in 2011 to $1.65 billion in 2021, about one fifth of all income from RFID tags in 2021 because most of the increase in penetration will be by price advantage. This report gives the penetration of printed and chipless RFID into many different market verticals over the next ten years. It gives assessment of the different technology options and profiles of the main companies developing these.

For the lowest cost technologies, we consider how the cost structure will probably not be on a per tag basis, where the value of the tags in hundreds of billions is only a few million dollars, but those involved will make money on licensing the technology, readers, data management etc.

The in-depth report covering printed and chipless RFID technologies and companies is available from IDTechEx, with Analysis of the technologies being implemented today, detailed case histories and company profiles of the many trials and sales successes of printed and chipless RFID, sales leads and opportunities, and an unbiased assessment of who will be the winners and losers in the shakeout and what the future will bring. This is the only report to cover the technologies, players, opportunities and challenges of what will become the most widely used RFID technology type. Detailed forecasts are given and global progress assessed. www.IDTechEx.com/prfid

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(August 20, 2010) — Europium titanate is an unremarkable oxide compound, until sliced nanometers thin and physically stretched, according to new Cornell research. The changes affected on nano europium titanate could revolutionize electronics, report the authors June Hyuk Lee, Darrell Schlom et al. Thin films of europium titanate become both ferroelectric (electrically polarized) and ferromagnetic (exhibiting a permanent magnetic field) when stretched across a substrate of dysprosium scandate, another type of oxide.

Cornell researchers made a thin film of europium titanate ferromagnetic and ferroelectric by "stretching" it. They did it by depositing the material on an underlying substrate with a larger spacing between its atoms.

The best simultaneously ferroelectric, ferromagnetic material to date pales in comparison to this nano-film structure by a factor of 1,000. Simultaneous ferroelectricity and ferromagnetism is rare in nature and coveted by electronics visionaries. A material with this combination could form the basis for low-power, highly sensitive magnetic memory, magnetic sensors or highly tunable microwave devices.

The search for ferromagnetic ferroelectrics dates back to 1966, when the first such compound – a nickel boracite – was discovered. Since then, scientists have found a few additional ferromagnetic ferroelectrics, but none stronger than the nickel compound – that is, until now.

“Previous researchers were searching directly for a ferromagnetic ferroelectric – an extremely rare form of matter,” said Darrell Schlom, Cornell professor of materials science and engineering, and an author on the paper.

“Our strategy is to use first-principles theory to look among materials that are neither ferromagnetic nor ferroelectric, of which there are many, and to identify candidates that, when squeezed or stretched, will take on these properties,” said Craig Fennie, assistant professor of applied and engineering physics, and another author on the paper.

This fresh strategy, demonstrated using the europium titanate, opens the door to other ferromagnetic ferroelectrics that may work at even higher temperatures using the same materials-by-design strategy, the researchers said.

Other authors include David A. Muller, Cornell professor of applied and engineering physics; and first author June Hyuk Lee, a graduate student in Schlom’s lab.

The researchers took an ultra-thin layer of the oxide and “stretched” it by placing it on top of the disprosium compound. The crystal structure of the europium titanate became strained because of its tendency to align itself with the underlying arrangement of atoms in the substrate.

Fennie’s previous theoretical work had indicated that a different kind of material strain – more akin to squishing by compression – would also produce ferromagnetism and ferroelectricity. But the team discovered that the stretched europium compound displayed electrical properties 1,000 times better than the best-known ferroelectric/ferromagnetic material thus far, translating to thicker, higher-quality films.

This new approach to ferromagnetic ferroelectrics could prove a key step toward the development of next-generation memory storage, superb magnetic field sensors and many other applications long dreamed about. But commercial devices are a long way off; no devices have yet been made using this material. The Cornell experiment was conducted at an extremely cold temperature – about 4 degrees Kelvin (-452 Fahrenheit). The team is already working on materials that are predicted to show such properties at much higher temperatures.

The team includes researchers from Penn State University, Ohio State University and Argonne National Laboratory.

The research was supported by the Cornell Center for Materials Research, a National Science Foundation-funded Materials Research and Engineering Center (MRSEC), and corresponding MRSECs at Penn State and Ohio State.

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(August 19, 2010 – BUSINESS WIRE) — In terms of sheer volume, The U.S. dominated the rest of the world in nanotech funding and new patents last year, as U.S. government funding, corporate spending, and VC investment in nanotech collectively reached $6.4 billion in 2009. However, according to a new report from Lux Research, countries such as China and Russia launched new challenges to U.S. dominance in 2009, while smaller players such as Japan, Germany and South Korea surpassed the United States in terms of commercializing nanotechnology and products.

Nanotech rankings by nation

The report, titled “Ranking the Nations on Nanotech: Hidden Havens and False Threats,” compares nanotech innovation and technology development in 19 countries to provide government policymakers, corporate leaders and investors a detailed map of the nanotech’s international development landscape. Overall, the report found global investment in nanotech held steady through the recent financial crisis, drawing $17.6 billion from governments, corporations and investors in 2009, a 1% increase over 2008’s $17.5 billion. Only venture capitalists dialed back their support, cutting investments by 43% relative to 2008.

“Part of what motivated our research was the emerging possibility that ambitious new government funding in Russia and China represented a threat to U.S. dominance in nanotech innovation,” said David Hwang, an Analyst at Lux Research, and the report’s lead author. “But while the field certainly gained momentum in both countries as a result of the increased funding, both countries have economic and intellectual property protection issues that prevent them from being real threats just yet.”

To uncover the most fertile environments for technology developers, buyers, and investors, Lux Research mapped the nanotech ecosystems of select nations, building on earlier reports published from 2005 through 2008. In addition to tracking fundamentals, such as the number of nanotech publications and patents issued, the report also inventoried direct and indirect spending on nanotech from government, corporate and venture sources. Among its key observations:

The U.S. continues to dominate in nanotech development — for now. Last year saw the U.S. lead all other countries in terms of government funding, corporate spending, VC investment, and patent issuances. But its capacity to commercialize those technologies and leverage them to grow the economy is comparatively mediocre. U.S. competitiveness in long-term innovation is also at risk, as the relative number of science and engineering graduates in its population is significantly lower than it is in other countries.
Other countries stand to get more bang for their nanotech buck. Japan, Germany, and South Korea continued their impressive trajectories from 2008, earning top spots in publications, patents, government funding, and corporate spending. Compared to the U.S., all three also remain more focused on nanotech and appear more adept at commercializing new technology. The relative magnitude of the technology manufacturing sectors in these three countries are the world’s highest, meaning their economies stand to benefit the most from nanotech commercialization.

Russian and Chinese investment in nanotech yields slow progress. While both governments launched generous nanotech investment programs last year, the technology hasn’t gained momentum in either country’s private sector, both of which have a history of skimping on R&D. The relative lack of momentum was further underscored by the abysmal number of new nanotech patents for either country last year. Earlier in August, Russian investment in nanotech was highlighted, with news that Rusnano might take a majority stake in Cambridge University spin-out Plastic Logic. Additionally, China news sources state that SuZhou City in China is promoting nanotechnology industrialization
 
“Ranking the Nations on Nanotech: Hidden Havens and False Threats,” is part of the Lux Nanomaterials Intelligence service. Lux Research provides strategic advice and on-going intelligence for emerging technologies. Visit www.luxresearchinc.com

Read other Lux insights in Lux Research:

• Economy blunting growth of nanomaterials 
• Who’s who in nanotech batteries
• The recession’s ripple effect on nanotech

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