Nanobiotix is a biotechnology company that uses nanomedicine to develop new radiotherapy techniques for cancer patients. The company is headquartered in Paris, with additional corporate offices in New York and Massachusetts.
History
Nanobiotix is a spin-off of the State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo that was incorporated in 2003 and has been primarily funded by leading European venture capital firms (Matignon Technologies, OTC Asset Management, Cap Decisif, Amorcage Rhone-Alpes, CIC Vizille; Masseran Gestion-CGE).
2003 Nanobiotix is founded based on research performed by Laurent Levy at SUNY Buffalo. 2007-2010 Development of the NanoXray research program 2011 Start of the first phase I / II clinical study on NBTXR3 in humans. Commencement of treatment for the first patient recruited in the study. 2012 Public listing of Nanobiotix on the Euronext Paris market and partnership with PharmaEngine. 2014 Creation of the Nanobiotix's first US subsidiary in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
2015 Start of the first clinical trial in the United States with NBTXR3 in Prostate Cancer. 2017 Opening of a new facility to expand manufacturing capabilities, increase production capacity and prepare for commercialization. 2017 FDA approval of Nanobiotix’s first immuno-oncology trial in the US. Opening of two new affiliates in Germany and Spain. 2018 Positive phase II/III results for NBTXR3 in Soft Tissue Sarcoma 2019 Launch of nine new phase I/II clinical trials, treating six cancer indications and involving 340 patients at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center 2019 Achievement of European market approval (CE marking) for NBTXR3 (Hensify®) in the treatment of locally advanced Soft Tissue Sarcoma. 2019 Launch of Curadigm, the company’s new subsidiary dedicated to redefining the therapeutic balance between bioavailability, toxicity, and efficacy across the pharmaceutical industry 2019 Receives the 2019 Prix Galien Award for first-in-class NBTXR3 2020 Fast track designation granted by U.S. FDA for investigation of first-in-class NBTXR3 in head and neck cancer.
Therapeutics
Nanobiotix is currently in the clinical stage of developing NBTXR3, a “radioenhancer” that uses nanotechnology to make cancer cells more receptive to radiotherapy. NBTXR3 is an aqueous suspension of crystalline metallic nanoparticles approximately 50 nanometers in diameter, designed for injection directly into a malignant tumor. When exposed to ionizing radiation, NBTXR3 amplifies the localized, intratumoral killing effect. Upon activation by a standard dose of radiation, they release free radicals that destroys cancer cells, whilst the surrounding healthy tissues are preserved and receive the same dose of radiation as in standard radiotherapy. The product is designed to enhance the overall efficacy of radiotherapy without resulting in additional side effects.
Clinical Trials
NBTXR3 is currently being evaluated in 7 clinical trials around the world, and the development plan will include 16 clinical trials in 8 different types of cancer. In 2019, Nanobiotix launched a clinical collaboration with MD Anderson that includes 9 new Phase I/II clinical trials will be launched in the United States for NBTXR3 in multiple indications, including head and neck, pancreatic, lung, esophageal, and colorectal cancers.
Nanobiotix obtained the first European marketing authorization (CE marking) for Hensify, the commercial name of NBTXR3, for the treatment of locally advanced Soft Tissue Sarcoma.
Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) are a rare type of cancer that develops in different types of soft tissues, including muscles, joint structures, fat, nerves and blood vessels. Although STS can develop at any anatomic site, it occurs in the extremities (arms and legs) in approximately 60% of cases. NBTXR3 completed Phase II/III clinical trials to treat Soft tissue sarcomas in combination with radiotherapy and surgery in April 2020.
Head and Neck Cancer
Chemotherapy in combination with radiation is the standard treatment for locally advanced head and neck cancers in both the United States of America and the European Union. However, such treatment cannot usually be proposed to elderly and frail patients, as they are unable to endure the physical strain inherent in chemotherapy treatment.
NBTXR3 is currently in Phase II/III clinical trials to increase radiotherapy’s efficacy at treating Head and neck cancer. As of 2020, the study is recruiting participants in Taiwan.