Phase 1: Development of degradable and multimodal imageable microspheres for transfer to medical device industry

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A team of researchers at Dalhousie University have discovered and engineered a new material for use in medical applications. This new material has the potential to provide highly effective, personalized, optimized, and minimally invasive treatment for benign and malignant tumors. The unique features of this material are that (i) it is visible on x-ray and (ii) it dissolves in the human body. Firstly, being visible on x-ray means that while to doctors are placing the material in the patient, they will be able to confirm that they have treated the full tumor, and not just a part of the tumor. Secondly, being degradable means that once the material has treated the tumor it will disappear in the body without harming the patient - allowing repeat treatments for enhanced care. The research team is now requesting funds to (i) demonstrate, in a pre-clinical setting, the critical functional requirements of the material (i.e. ease of use and safety) and (ii) protect the invention by generating engineering specifications that will underpin and strengthen the patent, which protects their invention. It is expected, that if the material passes the key tests funded by this research grant, that the technology would be ready to transfer to a Canadian manufacturing company to produce it for sale on domestic and global markets.