Luna Innovations Receives Funding for Brain Cancer Diagnostic Agent Using Nanotechnology
07 Outubro 2008 - 9:30AM
Business Wire
Luna Innovations Incorporated (NASDAQ:LUNA) announces an award from
the National Cancer Institute (NCI) of the National Institutes of
Health (NIH) to improve the detection and diagnosis of brain
tumors. Under this program, Luna will adapt its exclusive contrast
agent technology using carbon nanospheres to produce an improved
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) agent. This next-generation
contrast agent will be designed to enhance tumor imaging and
advance the diagnosis and treatment of this disease by directing
nanomolecules to seek out specific biological targets, such as a
glioblastoma tumor, one specific form of brain cancer. MRI is
critical for the diagnosis and evaluation of many forms of brain
and other cancers. �Primary malignant brain tumors cause 13,000
deaths in the United States annually and survival rates following
therapeutic intervention are among the lowest compared to other
cancers,� stated Robert Lenk, President of Luna�s nanoWorks
division. �The work we are doing with NIH allows us the opportunity
to build on our existing contrast agent platform of carbon
nanomedicines and ultimately improve the detection and diagnosis of
these high risk brain tumors.� Luna�s imaging technology can be
modified to direct it to accumulate at specific targets. Luna�s MRI
contrast agent prototype is based on a modification of its
TRIMETASPHERE� carbon nanomaterial known as the HYDROCHALARONE�,
which has shown promise to significantly enhance relaxivity, a
property that provides for better imaging; is extremely stable; is
water soluble; and has the potential to be modified to clear from
the bloodstream quickly or slowly, depending on the specific
application. �Luna�s Hydrochalarone technology platform can be
modified to produce targeted contrast agents, which selectively
highlight the tumor cells. Our hope is that our novel approach will
provide better resolution to radiologists, who in turn, will
improve patient outcomes,� said Kent Murphy, Chairman and CEO of
Luna Innovations Incorporated. Last November, Luna announced its
first grant with the NIH using this carbon nanotechnology platform
to improve the identification of coronary artery disease. Under
this program, Luna proposed to develop a diagnostic agent that
would allow the use of MRI, potentially providing a noninvasive
measure to evaluate plaque in the arteries without the use of
ionizing radiation and catheters. Luna�s contrast agent prototype
is currently in preclinical studies at the NCI�s Nanotechnology
Characterization Laboratory. The outcome of this characterization
study is the report necessary for an Investigational New Drug
application. About Luna Innovations: Luna Innovations Incorporated
(www.lunainnovations.com) develops and manufactures new-generation
products for the healthcare, telecommunications, energy and defense
markets. Through its disciplined commercialization business model,
Luna has become a recognized leader in transitioning science to
solutions. Luna is headquartered in Roanoke, Virginia. Luna�s
nanoWorks division (www.lunananoworks.com), located in Danville,
Virginia, is developing pharmaceutical products empowered by
nanomaterials with applications in diagnostics and therapeutics.
Luna�s exclusive carbon nanomaterials offer unique physical,
chemical, thermal, magnetic, biological, optical and electronic
properties that can be tailored to customer needs. Forward Looking
Statements: This release includes information that constitutes
�forward-looking statements� made pursuant to the safe harbor
provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995,
including statements regarding, but not limited to: Luna�s
TRIMETASPHERE� carbon nanomaterial products and other products, as
well as the expected capabilities, performance and potential market
acceptance of such products. The company attempts, whenever
possible, to identify forward-looking statements by words such as
�intends,� �will,� �plans,� �anticipates,� �expects,� �may,�
�estimates,� �believes,� �should,� �projects,� or �continue,� or
the negative of those words and other comparable words. Similarly,
statements that describe the company�s business strategy, goals,
prospects, opportunities, outlook, objectives, plans or intentions
are also forward-looking statements. Actual events or results may
differ materially from the expectations expressed in such
forward-looking statements as a result of various factors,
including risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the
company�s control. Factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from the expectations expressed in such
forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: the
company�s ability to successfully identify market needs for new
products; the potential adverse effects of nanotechnology, whether
real or perceived; and the potential limitations of regulatory
requirements in obtaining clearance by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration or other regulatory agencies for the company�s
technology or products. Additional factors that may affect the
future results of the company are set forth in the company�s
quarterly and annual reports on Form 10-Q and Form 10-K,
respectively, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (�SEC�), which are available at the SEC�s website at
http://www.sec.gov, and at the Company�s website at
http://www.lunainnovations.com. These risk factors are updated from
time to time through the filing of periodic reports with the SEC.
The statements made in this press release are based on information
available to the company as of the date of this release and Luna
Innovations undertakes no obligation to update any of the
forward-looking statements herein after the date of this press
release. The project described here is supported by Award Number
R43CA128273 from the National Cancer Institute. The content is
solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily
represent the official views of the National Cancer Institute or
the National Institutes of Health.
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