A groundbreaking new diagnostic and treatment approach for bladder cancer is set to undergo a clinical trial in Queensland, thanks to a $950,500 CUREator grant awarded to OncoStrike Biopharma. The startup, founded on technology developed by Mater Research and University of Queensland Professor John Hooper, aims to revolutionize the way bladder cancer is diagnosed and treated.
With around 570,000 people worldwide being diagnosed with bladder cancer each year, and a significant number developing an aggressive form of the disease, the need for more effective diagnostic and treatment options is crucial. Professor Hooper’s new technology, a theranostic that combines diagnostic imaging with targeted treatment, holds promise in making cancerous tumor cells more easily identifiable on scans to inform personalized treatments.
Collaborating with experts from Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Mater Cancer Care Centre, and Princess Alexandra Hospital, the research team is hopeful that the imaging technology will not only detect bladder cancer but also pave the way for new trials and treatments for other types of cancer.
Dr. Matt Roberts, a urologist at RBWH, emphasized the potential impact of the protein-targeted study, stating that it could act as a “homing beacon” for bladder cancer, allowing for easier detection and treatment. The CUREator grant also supports Frontier Inflammasome Therapeutics in developing a novel therapy for inflammatory conditions without effective treatment options.
Supported by UniQuest, these innovative startups are at the forefront of advancing medical research and bringing new hope to patients with challenging health conditions.