Challenge
While most patients recover well from non-metastatic breast cancer, its metastatic pendant is the leading cause of cancer death in women. The treatment of non-metastatic breast cancer involves surgical removal of the tumor. This intervention can itself promote the formation of metastases, therefore paradoxically induce the apparition of the incurable deadly expression of the disease.
Opportunity
The global market in breast cancer treatment is estimated at 20+ Billions with a 2-digit CAGR. This product has the potential to reduce the need for radiotherapy, and/or improve the global long term outcomes, thus alleviating heavy costs and increasing life expectancy for patients. The total addressable market of such a device has been estimated over 1B€ with conservative assumptions.
Solution
OncoTrap is an active implantable medical device (AIMD) which is implanted close to the resection site of a solid tumor mass in order to trap residual migrating cancer cells and to kill them. Implanted right after tumor resection, it captures the neo-metastatic cells on the spot before they spread anywhere, thus reducing the risk of metastatic relapse. The first preclinical results obtained on mice show a capture of systemic cancerous cells within the device.
Status
Currently at an early stage, the project has secured funding to perform further validation experiments on murine model with already promising results, and is looking forward to raise the relevant funds for product development and clinical trials.
Meet the team
Kathrin Ballesteros
Venture Partner
Kathrin joined NLC in October 2021. She has more than 15 years of experience supporting Startups – mainly in the Life Science business – in different positions as a consultant and coach. Kathrin is a biochemist and holds a PhD in Molecular Neuroscience. Besides her scientific background, she is also trained as a Business Coach, Team Coach & Team Developer and has a Micro master’s in Business Model Innovation. Kathrin brings expertise in supporting early-stage scientific and entrepreneurial projects turning into valuable businesses.