The formation of plasma species within aqueous solutions sets Symbios TPR-generated chemotherapeutics apart from other plasma-based technologies
Fort Collins, Colorado (PRWEB) November 17, 2016
Symbios Technologies, Inc., a world-leading developer of dynamic aqueous plasma technology platforms, announced today that the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have awarded the company Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I grants totaling $449,931. The funds will be used to develop innovative uses of plasma technology to create safer, more effective chemotherapeutic solutions for difficult to treat cancers, such as pancreatic cancer, and anti-infective products for the treatment of a wide range of microbial contaminants associated with hospital acquired infections (HAI) and wound recovery.
The “Plasma Generation of Aqueous Chemotherapeutic Solutions” project, NIH National Cancer Institute Award Number R43CA203273, will use the Symbios Tubular Plasma Reactor™ (TPR) platform to generate chemotherapeutic solutions through a low-temperature plasma discharge. This promising new method for selectively killing cancer cells is unique in generating plasma-based chemotherapeutics within aqueous solutions and allows clinicians multiple routes of administration of the solution to the cancerous site.
The “Continuous Production of Organic Peroxyacid Microbial Agents for Wound Care Using a Selective Plasma Oxidation Reactor” project, NIH National Institute of General Medical Sciences Award Number R43GM121092, will utilize Symbios plasma technology as an alternate manufacturing platform to help enable the safe and more cost-effective mass production of anti-infective healthcare products. Specifically, Symbios is collaborating with CHD Bioscience, Inc. (CHD) to develop an alternative high volume production method for CHD’s flagship product, VERIOX™. VERIOX is a proprietary blend of peroxyacid compounds which has shown great promise as an anti-infective and wound-healing healthcare product.
Both projects are being led by Principal Investigator Jessica Joslin, PhD., Senior Scientist at Symbios. Working in the Therapeutic Materials and Biointerfacial Research Laboratory at Colorado State University, Dr. Joslin previously developed methods for characterizing polymeric biomaterials with the ability to release the bio-agent, nitric oxide.
“The TPR platform enables the environmentally friendly production of aqueous plasma chemotherapeutic (APC) solutions,” said Dr. Joslin. “This can allow us the ability to provide selective and dose-dependent cancer cell growth inhibition to address critical cancer therapy needs. The formation of plasma species within aqueous solutions sets TPR-generated APC apart from other plasma-based technologies.”
“In addition, the groundbreaking design of the TPR also allows us the ability to tune its operating parameters and use low-energy plasma discharge in a continuous flow process. This capability will help CHD dial in the right amount of peroxyacid compounds to cost effectively produce VERIOX,” continued Dr. Joslin.
“Collaboration is a critical success factor for all innovative companies,” concluded Brooks Hybertson, PhD, Vice President, R&D at Symbios and Co-Investigator on both grants. “We are grateful to both the NCI and the NIGMS for selecting Symbios as an SBIR award recipient for these important and potentially lifesaving projects and the opportunity to work with a transformative company like CHD and other industry partners that are helping us drive Symbios technology forward.”
Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences and the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R43GM121092 and R43CA203273, respectively. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
About Symbios Technologies
Symbios Technologies, Inc. is a world-leading developer of dynamic aqueous plasma technology platforms for water treatment, specialty manufacturing, and biotherapeutic applications. The company, working with its university, government, and industrial partners is commercializing its disruptive advanced low-cost aqueous plasma oxidation technology, the Symbios Tubular Plasma Reactor™ (TPR4000™), to clean water, preserve the environment, and protect human health while improving production economics and sustainability. Symbios Technologies’ modular reactor is low in capital cost, able to replace existing energy-hungry or poor-performing advanced oxidation processes, while reducing or eliminating the use of biocides and/or chemical additives, thus improving the overall maintenance cost of water treatment systems, in particular extending the life and reducing fouling of membranes. For more information, go to http://www.symbiosplasma.com/.
About the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
NIH, the nation's medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit http://www.nih.gov.
About NCI
NCI leads the National Cancer Program and the NIH’s efforts to dramatically reduce the prevalence of cancer and improve the lives of cancer patients and their families through research into prevention and cancer biology, the development of new interventions, and the training and mentoring of new researchers. For more information about cancer, please visit the NCI website at cancer.gov or call NCI's Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER.
About NIGMS
The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) supports basic research that increases understanding of biological processes and lays the foundation for advances in disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. NIGMS-funded scientists investigate how living systems work at a range of levels, from molecules and cells to tissues, whole organisms, and populations. The Institute also supports research in certain clinical areas, primarily those that affect multiple organ systems. To assure the vitality and continued productivity of the research enterprise, NIGMS provides leadership in training the next generation of scientists, in enhancing the diversity of the scientific workforce, and in developing research capacities throughout the country.
