The ENEA-Tech and Biomedical Foundation has announced a significant strategic investment of €6 million in BetaGlue Therapeutics S.p.A., an Italian company at the forefront of oncology.
Supporting a Revolutionary Technology for Precision Medicine
The investment aims to support the development of an innovative radiotherapy platform for the localized and personalized treatment of inoperable solid tumors, promising to revolutionize the landscape of cancer care.
BetaGlue Therapeutics’ platform is centered on a medical device called YntraDose, which employs radioactive microspheres mixed with a biocompatible viscous solution resembling surgical glue. This compound is applied directly to the tumor site through a minimally invasive radiological procedure, placing a radiation source in close proximity to the tumor. This approach targets cancerous cells exclusively, preserving surrounding healthy tissues and reducing side effects compared to conventional therapies.
An additional innovation is an advanced algorithm developed by BetaGlue, which personalizes the radiation dose based on the specific characteristics of each patient’s tumor. This unique combination of precision and personalization makes YntraDose a one-of-a-kind solution.
Promising Clinical Results
Initial clinical trials conducted with YntraDose highlight its revolutionary potential:
- A 100% safety profile;
- Complete treatment response in 100% of patients within 21 days;
- Tumor reduction in 86% of cases over the same period.
These results demonstrate the technology’s efficacy and safety, offering new prospects for treating some of the most aggressive solid tumors, such as inoperable liver carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, and breast cancer.
Strategic Collaborations
To develop and clinically validate YntraDose, BetaGlue collaborates with a network of esteemed partners, including:
- Politecnico di Milano;
- The National Cancer Institute of Milan;
- Gemelli University Hospital in Rome;
- Charité University Hospital in Berlin.
These collaborations enhance the scientific and technological value of the project, ensuring a multidisciplinary and high-quality approach.
Statements from the ENEA-Tech Foundation
Professor Giovanni Tria, President of the ENEA-Tech and Biomedical Foundation, emphasized the importance of supporting initiatives like BetaGlue:
“Supporting projects like this means investing in the future of personalized medicine and strengthening the Italian medtech ecosystem, fostering innovations that can have a tangible impact on global health.”
The Foundation’s mission includes several strategic action lines, such as:
- Creating biotechnology innovation hubs integrating academic, clinical, and industrial research;
- Supporting entrepreneurial projects with strong technological innovation through public-private partnership models;
- Promoting start-ups, innovative SMEs, and university spin-offs to transfer research to industry;
- Attracting foreign investments in the biomedical field.
A Positive Impact on Italy’s Ecosystem
The investment in BetaGlue is not only a step forward in the fight against cancer but also a significant contribution to Italy’s economy and healthcare system. The establishment of new clinical trial centers, the development of cutting-edge technologies, and the transfer of knowledge between research and industry help solidify Italy’s role as an international hub for medtech innovation.
Towards the Future of Cancer Care
With the support of the ENEA-Tech and Biomedical Foundation and its national and international collaborations, BetaGlue Therapeutics is poised to bring YntraDose to the European and U.S. markets. This technology offers new hope for patients with inoperable solid tumors, improving not only life expectancy but also quality of life during treatment.
The investment in BetaGlue reaffirms Italy’s commitment to advancing precision medicine and finding innovative solutions to global challenges such as the fight against cancer.