SonALAsense develops Sonodynamic Therapy (SDT) that combines a tumor-targeting drug, SONALA-001, with ultrasound technology to induce programmed cell death in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cells. This noninvasive treatment aims to transform GBM patients into cancer survivors by effectively targeting and destroying cancerous tissue.
Funding
$34.8M 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
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive brain cancer with limited treatment options and poor survival rates. Current GBM therapies often fail due to incomplete tumor resection and the tumor's resistance to chemotherapy and radiation. There is a need for more effective and less invasive treatments that can selectively target and destroy GBM cells while sparing healthy brain tissue.
Solution
SonALAsense is developing Sonodynamic Therapy (SDT), a non-invasive cancer treatment that combines a tumor-targeting drug (SONALA-001) with ultrasound technology to selectively eliminate GBM cells. The SONALA-001 drug is designed to accumulate within tumor cells, making them more sensitive to ultrasound energy. When ultrasound is applied to the tumor site, it activates the drug, inducing programmed cell death (apoptosis) specifically in the targeted cancer cells. This approach aims to improve patient outcomes by providing a more precise and less toxic alternative to traditional cancer treatments.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes patients diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and their treating physicians, including neuro-oncologists and radiation oncologists.
Features
- SONALA-001: A proprietary tumor-targeting drug designed to selectively accumulate in GBM cells.
- Ultrasound device: Delivers focused ultrasound energy to activate SONALA-001 within the tumor.
- Non-invasive treatment: SDT is administered without the need for surgery or radiation.
- Programmed cell death: SDT induces apoptosis, a natural process of cell self-destruction, in targeted cancer cells.
- Platform technology: SDT is being explored for potential application in treating other types of solid tumors.