Bangalore, June 7, 2007: Sydney-based biotechnology company, EnGeneIC, has successfully created the world’s first nano-sized particle aimed at providing more effective and efficient drug delivery to cancer cells. The new, patented delivery technology is derived from minicells of bacterial origin and is called EnGeneIC Delivery Vehicles (EDVs).

 

EnGeneIC has achieved results in reducing tumors without toxic side effects in pre-clinical animal models of cancer. The results were published in the international journal of Cancer Cell. The drug delivery technology is applicable for a wide spectrum of cancer types, including breast, ovarian, colon, lung, lymphoma and leukemia cancer cells.

 

The nano cells containing chemotherapeutic drug are targeted at specific cancer cells via antibodies displayed on the surface of each particle. Once attached to the cancer cell, the particle is engulfed and the drug released directly into the cell.

 

Two senior Australian scientists, Dr Jennifer MacDiarmid and Dr Himanshu Brahmbhatt, have led the EngeneIC research team. They founded the program in 2001 and are joint Managing Directors of the company.

 

The researchers claim that for the first time it has been proved that this technology could lead to the use of multi-drug combinations and could eventually help in the development of custom-made therapies for cancer patients.

 

Venture capital firms Amwin Management and Momentum Capital, and a group of private investors, including Mark Johnson and the Woods family, have funded the research. The company has also received grants from the Federal Government’s AusIndustry Start and Commercial Ready programs, and the New South Wales Government.