OncoBLAZE, an Innosphere Client Company, Secures $374,000 NIH STTR Grant to Advance Novel Cancer Recurrence Prevention Technology

 

Charleston, SC — Q4 2024 — OncoBLAZE LLC, an innovative academic startup founded out of the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and an Innosphere client company, has been awarded a $374,000 Phase I Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This is the second STTR Phase I grant the company has secured within its first year, having previously received a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) earlier in 2024. This new funding will enable OncoBLAZE to conduct preclinical studies in rodent tumor models, further validating its cutting-edge cancer recurrence prevention technology.

OncoBLAZE’s platform combines thermo-sensitive liposomal nanoparticles with a precision laser heating device to deliver chemotherapy with pinpoint accuracy to residual cancer cells, aiming to prevent tumor recurrence. The preclinical studies funded by this grant will provide crucial data to support future clinical trials in human patients, potentially transforming cancer therapy by improving treatment precision and efficacy.

This award not only underscores the academic-industrial synergy that drives innovation in South Carolina’s biotech sector but also supports the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) goals of economic growth, job creation, and community engagement.

The infusion of NIH funding will enable OncoBLAZE to expand its team in Charleston, contributing to local economic growth and strengthening South Carolina’s position as an emerging hub in life sciences and biotechnology. The team’s work on cancer recurrence prevention technology is poised to have a lasting impact on both the region’s economy and the field of cancer treatment.

“This NIH STTR grant enables us to rigorously test our precision drug delivery technology in several cancer types in preclinical models,” said Dr. Dieter Haemmerich, CEO of OncoBLAZE. “Our technology allows chemotherapy to be delivered with exceptional precision to residual cancer cells, reducing the risk of recurrence and potentially saving lives. This milestone brings us closer to translating this innovation to human patients, where the need for effective recurrence prevention therapies is critical.”

Founded in 2023 in Charleston, SC, OncoBLAZE is dedicated to developing precision therapies aimed at preventing cancer recurrence. The company’s unique approach leverages the power of thermo-sensitive liposomal nanoparticles combined with a laser heating device to deliver chemotherapy directly to target cells, thus enhancing treatment effectiveness and reducing side effects.

Expected Impact of NIH Grant:

  • $374K in NIH non-dilutive funding
  • Growth of South Carolina’s biotech sector
  • Enhanced collaboration with academic and industrial partners
  • Advancement of OncoBLAZE’s technology toward clinical trials in humans

For More Information:

Prof. Dieter Haemmerich
CEO, OncoBLAZE
[email protected]
www.oncoblaze.com