Nanotechnology Characterization Lab Collaborators

Recent Collaborators

Duo Oncology
Duo Oncology develops environment-responsive nanomedicines that co-deliver chemotherapeutic agents, enabling deeper tumor penetration and reduced off-target toxicity. Duo’s patented platform chemistry leverages nucleic acid-inspired self-assembly to generate ultra-small nanomedicines with up to 30 wt% loading of two active agents. The lead candidate, DUO-207—an ultra-small gemcitabine prodrug encapsulating paclitaxel—has demonstrated superiority over standard-of-care (SoC) regimens in mouse and rat tumor models. Recent GLP studies in rats and dogs indicate improved clinical outcomes compared to SoC, with no measurable hepatic or renal toxicity and full recovery of hematologic parameters. These findings, along with enhanced pharmacology and biodistribution, strongly support advancing DUO-207 into first-in-human trials..
https://www.duooncology.com/

Nanocarry Therapeutics
Nanocarry Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company pioneering advanced solutions for brain disease treatment with its innovative nano delivery system capable of carrying multiple copies of therapeutic agents into the brain. This groundbreaking platform is designed to effectively cross the blood-brain barrier—one of the most significant challenges in treating neurological conditions—using proprietary insulin-mediated nanoparticles that leverage the natural transport mechanisms of insulin. Originating from the nano-bioengineering lab at Bar-Ilan University, Nanocarry's first platform-based product targets HER2-positive breast cancer brain metastases and is currently advancing through IND-enabling studies. The company’s early-stage pipeline also includes promising candidates for CNS diseases, further demonstrating the versatility and transformative potential of its platform.
https://nanocarry.com/

POP Biotechnologies
POP Biotechnologies (POP BIO) is a Buffalo, NY startup developing breakthrough products based on functional liposomes. Spontaneous nanoliposome antigen particles (POP BIO SNAP™) enable facile assembly of proteins and peptides antigens into a liposome-displayed format capable of enhanced immunogenicity. POP BIO SNAP™ proved to be safer and more immunogenic than a viral vector comparator in a Phase 3 Trial of EuCorVac-19, a COVID-19 vaccine. POP BIO has shown POP BIO SNAP™ holds potential as an ultra-potent cancer vaccine system for short MHC-I restricted synthetic peptide and will collaborate with the NCI-NCL program to characterize a human cancer vaccine product concept.
https://www.pop.bio/

Testimonials

Chong-xian Pan, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, VA Boston Healthcare System
“NCL was extremely helpful during the drug development of my bladder cancer-specific nanoparticles. They performed the in vitro characterization of my nanoparticles, and I used this data to support an IND application and currently have an ongoing Phase I trial (Clinicaltrials.gov identifier No: NCT05519241; PI: Pan). The NCL staff are very friendly, responsive and knowledgeable. I am highly satisfied with the service.”

Len Pagliaro, Sona Nanotech, Inc.
“Siva Therapeutics was first accepted into the NCL program several years ago.  A few years later we completed the Assay Cascade program, and the data, learnings, contacts, and advice we received during this time were invaluable to us as an early-stage company in the cancer nano-device space.  More recently, Siva was acquired by Sona Nanotech, which had become our nanomaterial manufacturing partner.  After acquisition and further development of the manufacturing process for our nanomaterial, the NCL team continued to support our project with ongoing work to validate physical chemical properties, sterility, endotoxin, and other key parameters of the improved material.  Recently, we were very pleased to have NCL team members participate in an FDA Pre-Submission meeting, and the NCL team provided valuable input as well as important clarification of next steps in our development process.  The NCL has played a key role in our ability to move ahead in the cancer nano-therapy space.”

Simon Jenson, MonTa Biosciences
“MonTa Biosciences collaborated with NCL to characterize the micelle immunotherapy Drug Product MBS8 in both biological and analytical assays. We have been very happy for the work conducted at NCL which has supported our understanding of the drug from a biological, toxicological and CMC point of view. The NCL team conducted the agreed studies timely and with interesting discussions in the process, which altogether has contributed to the development of MBS8 through GLP toxicology studies and into clinical testing. We can highly recommend testing new nanotechnologies through the NCL program. ”

Glen Kwon, Co-D Therapeutics
"We had a fruitful collaboration with NCL on our oligo(lactic acid)₈-paclitaxel (o(LA)₈-PTX) prodrug micellar formulation – comprehensive characterization of physicochemical properties, cytotoxicity, immunomodulation, metabolism, LC-MS and pharmacokinetics. o(LA)₈-PTX produced a high level of lactic acid-paclitaxel metabolite in plasma of rats, ca., 5-fold higher than Abraxane^®. It was concluded that the lactic acid-paclitaxel metabolite is involved in pharmacological activity of o(LA)₈-PTX, acting as a taxane analogue. Our research on o(LA)₈-PTX was published in a theme issue on “Recent Advances in Drug Delivery” in the AAPS Journal. Our collaboration with NCL was productive, collegial and highly informative. Using feedback that o(LA) ₈-PTX will likely be considered a new chemical entity (NCE) by the FDA, development of the o(LA) ₈-PTX prodrug micellar formulation will proceed by the 505(b)(1) pathway in anticipation of a pre-IND meeting with the FDA.”

Young Kwon, University of California
"Every step with the NCL was a rare opportunity to work with a group of exceptionally qualified experts in the interface of nanotechnology and medicine. As a matter of fact, the outcome of the NCL’s Assay Cascade Program, including its proprietary SITUA assays, not only elevated the team’s confidence about the technology’s potential to the next level but also reinforced the industry partner’s commitment to moving it forward to clinical translation and commercialization. Communications with the NCL team were flawlessly efficient, timely, and insightful, and the outcomes were more exciting than expected as presented in the thoroughly, analytically, and professionally drafted report. I have been truly enjoying working with the NCL team from the beginning, when publishing the discoveries together, and while preparing an IND application. I most strongly encourage all teams working on clinical translation and commercialization of nanotechnology for this privileged experience!”

Pauline Lau, Suntec Medical
“We extend our sincere appreciation to the NCL for their pivotal role in advancing our STM-001 project at Suntec Medical. The NCL Assay Cascade provides crucial insights into the physical and chemical properties of STM-001 with studies of high scientific standards and great technical expertise. With NCL's support, STM-001 is ready to enter clinical developments for brain cancers sooner than we expected. We highly recommend NCL for organizations seeking top-tier nanotechnology characterization services.”

Academic Collaborators

Corporate Collaborators

Government Collaborators

• FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research
• FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health
• FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
• FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
• FDA’s National Center for Toxicological Research
• FDA’s Office of Generic Drugs
• NCI’s Center for Cancer Research
• National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
• United States Army Center for Environmental Health Research
• United States Army Medical Research Institute for Infectious Diseases
• United States Naval Research Laboratory