Autonomix recently shared the news of being granted a patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for their catheter-based technology designed to treat cancerous tumors.
This patent, named “Systems and Methods for Treating Cancer and/or Augmenting Organ Function,” safeguards the company’s innovative solutions, including devices and methodologies aimed at addressing tumors and alleviating cancer-related pain. The primary application will be for pain associated with pancreatic cancer.
CEO Brad Hauser emphasized the significance of this patent in a press statement, “Our ongoing efforts to develop this potentially revolutionary technology are underpinned by strong patent protection, which is a crucial focus for us. Based on the encouraging preclinical outcomes achieved so far, we are optimistic about the expansive potential of our technology. We are committed to evaluating its capabilities to impede cancer proliferation and metastasis.”
Autonomix presented promising results from a preclinical study involving mice, which indicated that their targeted nerve ablation approach substantially decreased metastasis and tumor size in pancreatic cancer cases. Such findings highlight the impact of neural pathways in pancreatic cancer development.
Continuing its research, Autonomix is conducting a proof-of-concept clinical trial with human participants, primarily targeting pain mitigation via focused nerve ablation near the pancreas. Further studies are anticipated to assess the translational potential of the preclinical data to clinical scenarios.
Additionally, Autonomix is exploring the broader possibilities of its nerve ablation technology, aiming to decelerate tumor growth and metastasis in pancreatic cancer patients.
The cutting-edge technology employs a catheter-based microchip sensing array antenna, which is capable of detecting neural signals with a sensitivity that is up to 3,000 times higher than current solutions. Once specific nerves are identified, the company utilizes radiofrequency ablation to eradicate them. This allows for a highly precise strategy of sensing, treating, and validating across various medical conditions, ranging from chronic pain management to hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.