Cancer Nanotherapy
Nanotechnology-based cancer treatments and theranostics
Nanobiotix
Paris, France
Clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering nanomedicine with first-in-class radioenhancers for cancer treatment
BIND Therapeutics
Cambridge, United States
BIND Therapeutics, founded in 2007 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, pioneered the Accurin platform of polymeric nanoparticles for targeted cancer drug delivery, representing one of the most advanced clinical applications of nanomedicine. With over $150 million in funding and 100-200 employees, BIND developed sophisticated nanotechnology designed to precisely deliver chemotherapy agents to tumor cells while minimizing systemic toxicity. The company emerged from groundbreaking research at MIT and Harvard on controlled drug delivery using biodegradable polymer nanoparticles. BIND's Accurin nanoparticles were engineered with extraordinary precision, incorporating multiple functional components: a biodegradable polymer core loaded with chemotherapy drugs, a protective hydrophilic polymer shell to evade immune system clearance, and targeting ligands that bind to specific molecules overexpressed on cancer cells. This multicomponent design addressed fundamental challenges in cancer treatment—delivering sufficient drug to tumors while avoiding damage to healthy tissues. The company's lead candidate, BIND-014, consisted of docetaxel chemotherapy encapsulated in nanoparticles displaying PSMA-targeting ligands, designed for prostate cancer treatment. BIND advanced multiple nanoparticle candidates through clinical trials, generating valuable data on nanomedicine performance in humans. The company's clinical programs demonstrated that carefully designed nanoparticles could alter drug biodistribution, enhance tumor accumulation, and potentially improve therapeutic indices. BIND employed sophisticated polymer chemistry and formulation sciences to create nanoparticles with controlled sizes (typically 50-100 nanometers), precise drug loading, and sustained release profiles. The company developed scalable manufacturing processes meeting pharmaceutical GMP standards—a significant achievement given the complexity of multi-functional nanoparticles. Throughout its existence, BIND contributed substantially to understanding how nanoparticle properties including size, surface chemistry, and targeting ligands influence biological fate and therapeutic efficacy. Despite promising preclinical data and successful clinical trial execution, BIND faced challenges common to nanomedicine development including complex regulatory pathways, high development costs, and difficulty demonstrating sufficient therapeutic advantages over existing treatments. In 2016, facing financial pressures, BIND was acquired by Pfizer, which subsequently discontinued the programs, highlighting the challenging economics of nanomedicine development. Nevertheless, BIND's legacy includes important contributions to nanomedicine science, demonstration that sophisticated nanoparticles can be manufactured at pharmaceutical scales, and clinical data advancing understanding of nanoparticle behavior in humans. The company's experience provides valuable lessons for the nanomedicine field regarding the gap between preclinical promise and clinical reality, the importance of selecting appropriate patient populations, and the need for compelling therapeutic differentiation to justify nanomedicine's inherent complexity.
CytImmune Sciences
Rockville, United States
Developer of gold nanoparticle-based cancer therapeutics
Nanospectra Biosciences
Houston, United States
Developer of gold nanoshell-based thermal ablation therapy for cancer treatment
Tarveda Therapeutics
Watertown, United States
Developer of miniature drug conjugates for targeted cancer therapy
BioNTech
Mainz, Germany
Immunotherapy company leveraging lipid nanoparticle delivery for mRNA vaccines and cancer therapies
Nanocure
Tel Aviv, Israel
Nanocure, established in 2015 in Tel Aviv, Israel, is an innovative nanomedicine company focused on developing next-generation cancer therapies through advanced nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems. The company's proprietary platform leverages the unique properties of engineered nanoparticles to achieve precise targeting of cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissue, addressing one of the most significant challenges in oncology treatment. Nanocure's targeted nanoparticle therapeutics are designed to overcome the limitations of conventional chemotherapy, which often causes severe side effects due to non-selective distribution throughout the body. The company's nanoparticle formulations utilize sophisticated surface modifications, including targeting ligands and stealth coatings, to enhance circulation time, improve tumor accumulation through the enhanced permeability and retention effect, and facilitate active targeting to specific cancer cell markers. This multifaceted approach enables higher drug concentrations at tumor sites while reducing systemic exposure and associated toxicities. The technology platform is versatile, capable of encapsulating various therapeutic agents including small molecule drugs, peptides, and nucleic acids, making it applicable to multiple cancer types and treatment modalities. Nanocure's nanoparticles are engineered at the nanoscale (typically 10-200 nanometers) to optimize biological interactions, cellular uptake, and intracellular drug release. The company has secured over $15 million in funding to advance its pipeline through preclinical and clinical development stages. Israel's strong biotechnology ecosystem and expertise in nanomedicine provide Nanocure with access to world-class research facilities, clinical networks, and regulatory support. As cancer treatment increasingly moves toward personalized medicine and targeted therapies, Nanocure's nanoparticle platform represents a significant advancement in delivering more effective and safer cancer treatments, positioning the company as an important player in the rapidly evolving field of cancer nanotherapy.
Codiak BioSciences
Cambridge, United States
Codiak BioSciences, founded in 2015 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is a pioneering biotechnology company at the forefront of exosome-based therapeutics. The company has developed the proprietary engEx platform, which engineers exosomes—naturally occurring nanovesicles (30-150 nanometers) secreted by cells—as sophisticated drug delivery vehicles. Unlike synthetic nanoparticles, exosomes offer inherent biocompatibility, low immunogenicity, and natural ability to cross biological barriers, making them ideal carriers for therapeutic payloads. Codiak's engEx technology precisely modifies exosomes to display specific targeting molecules on their surface while loading therapeutic cargo inside, creating programmable nanomedicines with enhanced tissue specificity and therapeutic efficacy. The company's lead programs include exoSTING, an exosome-delivered STING agonist for cancer immunotherapy, and exoIL-12, which delivers interleukin-12 for tumor treatment. These engineered exosomes leverage the body's natural intercellular communication system to deliver potent immunomodulatory agents directly to target cells, potentially revolutionizing cancer treatment with improved safety profiles compared to conventional delivery methods. Codiak has raised over $300 million in funding, reflecting significant investor confidence in exosome therapeutics. The Cambridge location places Codiak at the heart of the biotech innovation ecosystem, with access to world-renowned research institutions and clinical infrastructure. The company employs between 100-200 specialists in molecular biology, nanotechnology, and clinical development. Exosomes represent a convergence of cell biology and nanotechnology, and Codiak's platform addresses critical challenges in drug delivery including tumor penetration, immune evasion, and payload stability. As the field of nanomedicine evolves beyond synthetic nanoparticles, Codiak's focus on biological nanovesicles positions it as a leader in next-generation therapeutic delivery, with potential applications extending beyond oncology to neurodegenerative diseases, rare disorders, and vaccines.
Sirnaomics
Gaithersburg, United States
Clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing RNAi therapeutics using polypeptide nanoparticle delivery
Nanobiotix SA
Cambridge, United States
Clinical-stage nanomedicine company developing first-in-class radioenhancers using hafnium oxide nanoparticles
NanoCarrier
Kashiwa, Japan
Developer of micellar nanoparticle drug delivery systems for cancer treatment
Nippon Kayaku
Tokyo, Japan
Pharmaceutical and chemical company with nanomedicine portfolio including micellar formulations
Starpharma Holdings
Melbourne, Australia
World leader in dendrimer nanotechnology for drug delivery and pharmaceutical applications
NanoMedSyn
Montpellier, France
Developer of MUSIC nanoparticle platform for targeted drug delivery
Nanopartz
Loveland, United States
Producer of gold nanoparticles and nanorods for research
NanoMedica
San Diego, United States
Developer of nanoparticle-based cancer therapeutics
Etherna Immunotherapies
Niel, Belgium
mRNA immunotherapy company with proprietary LNP delivery technology
eTheRNA Immunotherapies
Niel, Belgium
mRNA immunotherapy with proprietary delivery platform
Strand Therapeutics
Boston, United States
Programmable mRNA therapeutics with logic gates
Nano Therapeutics
Mumbai, India
Nano-based drug delivery systems for cancer therapy
NanoTherapeutics
Alachua, United States
Biopharmaceutical nanotechnology development
Celgene (Bristol-Myers Squibb)
Summit, United States
Oncology and immunology therapeutics using nanoparticle formulations
Abraxis BioScience
Los Angeles, United States
Pioneer of nanoparticle albumin-bound (nab) technology for cancer drugs
NanoCarrier Co., Ltd.
Chiba, Japan
Polymeric micellar nanoparticle drug delivery for cancer therapeutics
Starpharma
Melbourne, Australia
Dendrimer nanotechnology for antiviral and oncology therapeutics
Nanospectra Biosciences
Houston, United States
Gold nanoshell photothermal ablation therapy for cancer
NH TherAguix
Villeurbanne, France
Gadolinium-based nanoparticles for MRI-guided radiotherapy
Midatech Pharma
Abingdon, United Kingdom
Gold nanoparticle drug conjugates for oncology therapeutics
Phio Pharmaceuticals
Marlborough, United States
INTASYL self-delivering RNAi technology
Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma Services
San Diego, United States
CDMO for oligonucleotides and ADCs
Takeda Pharmaceutical
Tokyo, Japan
Global pharma with nanomedicine programs
Astellas Pharma
Tokyo, Japan
Major pharma with nanotechnology drug delivery research
Daiichi Sankyo
Tokyo, Japan
Antibody-drug conjugates and nanomedicine oncology
Otsuka Pharmaceutical
Tokyo, Japan
CNS and oncology pharma with nanomedicine development
Sumitomo Pharma
Osaka, Japan
Regenerative medicine and nanomedicine programs
Chugai Pharmaceutical
Tokyo, Japan
Antibody engineering and innovative drug delivery
LG Chem Life Sciences
Seoul, South Korea
Life sciences division with nanoparticle drug delivery
Samyang Biopharmaceuticals
Seoul, South Korea
Genexol-PM polymeric micelle nanoparticle drugs
Celltrion
Incheon, South Korea
Biosimilars and antibody drug conjugates
Hengrui Medicine
Lianyungang, China
Leading Chinese pharma with nanomedicine oncology programs
CSPC Pharmaceutical
Shijiazhuang, China
Major Chinese pharma with nanomedicine research
Hansoh Pharmaceutical
Lianyungang, China
Innovative Chinese pharma with nanoformulation expertise
Livzon Pharmaceutical
Zhuhai, China
Chinese pharma with microsphere and nanoparticle delivery
Luye Pharma Group
Yantai, China
Advanced drug delivery including microspheres and liposomes
PharmaEngine
Taipei, Taiwan
Liposomal formulations for cancer treatment
Celsion Corporation
Lawrenceville, United States
ThermoDox heat-activated liposomal doxorubicin
Nuvation Bio
New York, United States
Precision oncology with targeted drug development
Celator Pharmaceuticals
Vancouver, Canada
Liposomal nanoparticle drug delivery for combination cancer therapies
NanOlogy
Fort Worth, United States
Submicron particle technology for localized drug delivery in cancer treatment
Curia Global
Albany, United States
Contract research and manufacturing with nanoparticle drug delivery expertise
Encapsula NanoSciences
Brentwood, United States
Custom liposome and nanoparticle formulation services and products
FormuMax Scientific
Sunnyvale, United States
Liposome products and custom lipid nanoparticle formulation services
Guardant Health
Redwood City, United States
Liquid biopsy for cancer detection using circulating tumor DNA analysis
Foundation Medicine
Cambridge, United States
Comprehensive genomic profiling for cancer using advanced sequencing
Tempus
Chicago, United States
AI-driven precision medicine with genomic sequencing and diagnostics
Color Health
Burlingame, United States
Population-scale genetic testing and COVID-19 testing infrastructure
Burning Rock Biotech
Guangzhou, China
Cancer genomics and liquid biopsy diagnostics company in China
Bicycle Therapeutics
Cambridge, United Kingdom
Bicyclic peptide platform for targeted drug delivery
Sorrento Therapeutics
San Diego, United States
Biopharmaceutical with ADC and nanoparticle delivery platforms
Mersana Therapeutics
Cambridge, United States
Antibody drug conjugates using Dolasynthen platform
ADC Therapeutics
Lausanne, Switzerland
Antibody drug conjugates for hematological malignancies
Seagen
Bothell, United States
ADC pioneer (Adcetris, Padcev) acquired by Pfizer
ImmunoGen
Waltham, United States
ADC technology company acquired by AbbVie
Synaffix
Amsterdam, Netherlands
ADC technology platform using GlycoConnect and toxSYN
Sutro Biopharma
South San Francisco, United States
Cell-free protein synthesis for site-specific ADC conjugation
Carisma Therapeutics
Philadelphia, United States
CAR-Macrophage therapy for solid tumors
Bristol Myers Squibb Cell Therapy
Summit, United States
Global biopharmaceutical company with leading CAR T cell therapy franchise
Legend Biotech
Somerset, United States
Global biotechnology company developing novel cell therapies for oncology
Lyell Immunopharma
South San Francisco, United States
T cell reprogramming company developing next-generation cell therapies for solid tumors
Takeda Cell Therapy
Tokyo, Japan
Global pharmaceutical company with advanced cell therapy programs
Daiichi Sankyo ADC
Tokyo, Japan
Global pharmaceutical company with leading ADC technology platform
Exelixis
Alameda, United States
Oncology company developing transformative cancer treatments
Varian Medical Systems
Palo Alto, United States
Medical device company focused on radiation oncology treatments
Elekta
Stockholm, Sweden
Medical technology company developing precision radiation medicine
Accuray
Sunnyvale, United States
Radiation oncology company developing precise cancer treatment systems
AngioDynamics
Latham, United States
Medical device company developing minimally invasive medical devices
Merit Medical
South Jordan, United States
Medical device company manufacturing products for interventional procedures
nanoTherics
Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Magnetic nanoparticle research tools
ARIZ Precision Medicine
San Diego, United States
Nanotechnology for targeted cancer drug delivery using siRNA nanoparticles
Nanoligent
Leuven, Belgium
Oncology nanodrug development
Nano4Tarmed
Coimbra, Portugal
Nanotechnology platforms for targeted medicine and cancer treatment
Sona Nanotech
Halifax, Canada
Non-toxic gold nanorods for photothermal therapy and tumor-targeting drug delivery
Cello Therapeutics
San Diego, United States
Cell membrane-coated nanoparticles for immunotherapy delivery with FDA IND status
ExonanoRNA
Boston, United States
RNA nanoparticles and exosomes for cancer therapeutics
DIVERSA Technologies
Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Innovative nanoparticle formulations for drug delivery
MagForce
Berlin, Germany
Magnetic nanoparticle hyperthermia therapy for brain tumors
Imagion Biosystems
Sydney, Australia
MagSense magnetic nanoparticle detection for cancer diagnostics