The US National Institutes of Health has awarded Oraya Therapeutics with a $215,000 Small Business Technology Transfer Grant to investigate gold nanoparticles development. 

The biotech company developed the non-invasive Oraya Therapy, a rapid, comfortable for the patient, and an easy procedure for a trained operator to perform. It uses low-voltage, stereotactic, highly targeted X-rays for treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (Wet-AMD).  

Under the grant, scientists at Oraya will work together with scientists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to develop a novel approach to treating Wet AMD that utilizes gold nanoparticles to target neovascular endothelial cells. If successful, the research could provide a significant advancement in treating cancer, as tumors express particular proteins that can be targeted by nanoparticles. 

"We're looking forward to a successful collaboration that provides new insights into the exciting field of nanomedicine and the possibilities that radiotherapy and gold nanoparticles offer for treating cancers of the eye and for potential enhancement of radiation treatments for Wet AMD.", said Oraya CEO Jim Taylor.