Techna Nanotechnology Cluster

The first successful clinical application of nanotechnology was the use of a nanoparticle container to
deliver a drug to a tumour. That basic strategy of using a nanoparticle to carry a treatment or indicator
molecule has a lot of potential, but requires continued research to determine the therapeutic
effectiveness and potential toxicity of each container and payload combination. DLVR Therapeutics
and Merrimack Pharmaceuticals focus on the development of nanotechnology-based chemotherapeutic
and imaging agents. For each new formulation, the drug delivery characteristics, biological distribution
and interaction with cellular targets in tumours need to be determined. These properties will be
investigated in tumour models with various imaging techniques, including magnetic resonance
imaging, positron emission tomography, and optical microscopy. Successful testing of the properties of
these nanostructures in preclinical models is a vital step for the industrial partners, as this allows them
to readily translate new nanotechnology solutions to the clinic.

Faculty Supervisor:

Gang Zheng;David Jaffray;Jinzi Zheng

Student:

Partner:

DLVR Therapeutics;Merrimack Pharmaceuticals

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Manufacturing

University:

University of Toronto

Program: