10132102StimOxyGen: Oxygen-generating nanoparticles to enhance efficacy of radiotherapy and immunotherapy for pancreatic cancerClosedCollaborative R&DInnovate UKCancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide, with more than 19 million new cases accounting for more than 10 million deaths annually. In many cases, a combination of treatments including surgery (if eligible), chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy are used to treat cancer. However, it is well known that a hypoxic (lack of oxygen) and immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment (TME) present a significant barrier to successful cancer treatment, particularly in pancreatic cancer. In preliminary studies, StimOxyGen technology has demonstrated a very powerful effect on off-target lesions when a 'primary' lesion is treated with StimOxyGen-enhanced radiotherapy. We believe that this approach can be combined with immunotherapy to address the two major healthcare challenges to the successful treatment of cancer, tumour hypoxia and immune suppression, thereby enabling the treatment of metastatic disease. StimOxyGen is a proprietary and innovative nanoparticle-based solution to the challenge presented by hypoxia to effective radiotherapy that can seamlessly integrate with current clinical practice. One of the consequences of hypoxia in the tumour is a decreased pH in the tumour microenvironment. The novel StimOxyGen formulation consists of an oxygen-generating nanoparticle that is coated with a pH sensitive polymer. Once the particle encounters the low pH in the tumour microenvironment, the polymer dissolves and oxygen is then generated in the actual tumour. The purpose of this project is to build a pre-clinical data package by conducting pre-clinical studies to demonstrate a further enhanced and more durable anti-tumour response with StimOxyGen particles. Since clinical literature supports the use of radiotherapy alongside immune checkpoint inhibitors, StimOxyGen now seeks to generate pre-clinical data to identify the benefits of using StimOxyGen particles alongside a combination of radiotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors. This will demonstrate a truly effective means of treating cancer and provide lucrative opportunities for collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry. StimOxyGen aims to create rewarding opportunities in the global radiation oncology market (currently $7.8bn globally and $1.62bn in Europe, with a CAGR of 12.3% from 2023-2030) and immune checkpoint inhibitor market (currently $34.9bn globally and $3.3bn in Europe with a CAGR of 16.1%). Completion of this project will broaden our market potential and make the company more attractive for potential investors/strategic partners.