The startup develops targeted nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems that release therapeutic agents upon activation by near-infrared light. This technology aims to enhance the treatment efficacy for cancer and infectious diseases by providing precise drug localization and minimizing systemic side effects.
Funding
$3.1M raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
Founders
Product
Problem
Current vaccine development methods face functional and practical limitations, often failing to produce a robust immune response, especially for recombinant proteins and peptides. Traditional photodynamic therapy (PDT) for cancer treatment is limited by poor tumor uptake of photosensitizing agents and the need for prolonged, intense light exposure.
Solution
POP Biotechnologies develops innovative nanomedicines based on two patented porphyrin-phospholipid (PoP) liposome technologies: Spontaneous Nanoliposome Antigen Particleization (SNAP) and Chemophototherapy (CPT). The SNAP platform enables rapid development of highly immunogenic vaccines by seamlessly inserting His-tagged antigens into liposomes, creating stable, multivalent particles. For targeted chemotherapy, the Chemophototherapy (CPT) approach uses PoP liposomes to deliver chemotherapy drugs to tumors, releasing the drugs upon exposure to specific laser light. This approach enhances drug uptake, ensures uniform drug deposition throughout the tumor tissue, and minimizes systemic toxicity.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes pharmaceutical companies and research institutions focused on developing vaccines and immunotherapies for infectious diseases, cancer, and chronic diseases, as well as researchers seeking advanced drug delivery systems.
Features
- SNAP platform for rapid vaccine development using His-tagged antigens and CoPoP liposomes
- Chemophototherapy (CPT) for targeted chemotherapy drug delivery using light-activated PoP liposomes
- Versatile SNAP platform suitable for multivalent immunization and multiplexing of antigens
- SNAP improves antibody responses and enhances the depot effect, facilitating antigen uptake by immune cells
- PhotoDOX combines photosensitive PoP nanoparticles with doxorubicin for localized drug release in tumors upon light activation
- PhotoDOX enhances vascular permeability and light-triggered doxorubicin release, targeting tumor sites with minimal systemic toxicity
- GMP-produced CoPoP available for clinical testing, with a GLP toxicity report accessible
- SNAP vaccine platform compatible with pre-mixing, two-vial mixing, and lyophilization