For development of I-PARTS integrated platform for anti-cancer radiation therapeutics screening
The award was given for the development of anti-cancer agents and radiation modulators screening devices. PACT and Health of Branford, CT, US has been awarded Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) two-year contract by National Cancer Institute (NCI) for the development of I-PARTS integrated platform for anti-cancer radiation therapeutics screening. Utilising bioprinting of cells, robotics, this integrated platform will bring scientific rigour to the screening procedures of anti-cancer drugs using high-throughput clonogenic assay system (HTS).
NCI, an institute of National Institute of Health (NIH) leads and supports cancer research across the US to advance scientific knowledge and help people to live longer and healthier. The SBIR is one of NCI’s engines of innovation for developing and commercialising novel technologies in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. In addition to funding, NCI contributes tremendously to mentoring and networking for small businesses with next-generation cancer technologies.
Dr Rao VL Papineni, CEO PACT and Health, and Principal Investigator of the project points that I-PARTS, integrated platform for anti-cancer radiation therapeutics screening combines the recent advances in cell culture automation, microfluidics and AI, machine learning capable image analysis along with the high-thoughput X-ray irradiation. In this pivotal project, the PI, Dr Papineni collaborates with Dr Sunil Krishnan, Radiation Oncologist, Mayo Clinic and Dr Gayle Woloschak, Radiobiologist, Northwestern University, US. Commercially, I-PARTS, an integrated instrument is designed and developed to discover new cancer drugs required for combined cancer therapy. This instrument and the technology is miniaturised such that cancer drugs and radiation treatment can be tailored for individual patient, the ongoing goal towards personalised medicine.