“Radiation cancer treatment becomes safer” ... Radexel secures independent magnetic field technology
[Interview] Kim Taesoon, CEO of Radexel
Applicable to prostate cancer and more… Successful development of small cancer treatment devices
[by Eum, Sang Jun] Radexel, a next-generation cancer treatment company, is developing radiation-based cancer treatment devices and specialized software that use magnetic fields to significantly reduce the risk of side effects. In the biotech startup market that predominantly focuses on new drugs and diagnostic devices, Radexel is carving its own path in the field of “radiation cancer treatment.”
Patients diagnosed with cancer generally have three treatment options: surgery, radiation, therapy, or chemotherapy. Initially invasive surgery, which minimizes incisions, has gained prominence with the introduction of robotic surgery. Radiation cancer treatment, a competitive field, is also making rapid developments.
Small surgical areas lead to faster recoveries. The same applies to radiation cancer treatment. Precise radiation targeting on the tumor, while sparing surrounding organs, leads to better patient outcomes.
Major medical institutions invest hundreds of billions of won in technologies like proton therapy to treat cancer with minimal side effects. However, the cost of these treatments, which can reach to tens of millions of won, poses a significant financial burden.
If there is a radiation treatment system that substantially alleviates the financial burden of treatment while maintaining a minimal risk of side effects as compared to that of larger cancer treatment devices, there will be a substantial demand in the market.
“There is a significant demand for radiation therapy devices designed to treat cancer at an affordable cost while minimizing harm to the surrounding tissue," said Kim Taesoon, CEO of Radexel, in a recent interview with , noting that radiation cancer treatment is safer when using magnetic fields.
“In order for a biotech startup to thrive, it is essential to overcome challenges within the industry. Radiation therapy presents a cost-effective and accessible avenue, and with advanced technology, competitiveness can be achieved, opening up potential for intelligent cancer treatments,” he continued.
Kim, formerly a physician by training and an executive at the multinational pharmaceutical giant MSD, as well as serving as CEO of SyntekaBio, a local AI-based novel drug development company, has had a long-standing career. The reason behind CEO Kim’s decision to venture into the field of radiation cancer treatment, often viewed as conventional, was his confidence in having acquired proprietary technology. This foresight enabled him to secure an impressive pre-Series A investment of over KRW 7 billion (approximately USD 5 million). It is currently evident that foreign institutions are also expressing interest in investing in Radexel.
Currently, Radexel is actively engaged in developing a prototype utilizing a dual-track strategy. MMRT (RDX-001) serves as a magnetic field-related medical device designed to help cancer patients safely receive radiation treatment. It works by attaching it to a large radiation therapy machine.
As an illustration, when a prostate cancer patient stands on a large radiation therapy machine equipped with MMRT, air is introduced through the rectum, creating a magnetic field. Increasing the radiation therapy dosage enhances treatment effectiveness, but it often results in damage to the surrounding tissues. A magnetic field is a region where magnetic force is exerted by a magnet or electric current.
Nonetheless, when installing MMRT, the trajectory of electrons in the X-rays that are the subject of treatment, is altered as they pass through both the magnetic field and air. Electrons are precisely targeted on the tumor, and they are dispersed into adjacent normal tissues, thereby reducing the risk of scarring. The radiation dose can be controlled by up to 30%.
"By using magnetic field technology, radiation distribution can be finely adjusted by up to 30%, reducing the occurrence of treatment side effects," Jeong Nuri-Hyeon, technical clinical manager (CMO) of Radexel and professor of radiation oncology at Kangwon National University Hospital, said. "This approach is currently being applied to prostate cancer patients, but can potentially be extended to treat other forms of cancer.”
THE BIO DB(Jeong Nuri-Hyeon, technical clinical manager (CMO) of Radexel and professor of radiation oncology at Kangwon National University Hospital)
Radexel plans to complete the MMRT prototype within this year, with clinical trials scheduled for 2024. The company is also developing specialized software for the treatment planning of this cancer treatment device.
Another project is 'Robotic endo-RT (RDX-002)', which focuses to create a compact radiation therapy device. This equipment can also regulate radiation doses using magnetic fields, thereby reducing the burden on patients. It is anticipated to be initially applied to patients with oral cancer and skin cancer. Prototype production is currently underway, aiming for completion in the first half of 2024.
"The company's greatest strength lies in securing a substantial number of original patents and we have defined our corporate identity as a next-generation cancer treatment company," Kim said. "If we release an innovative treatment device, the company will grow quickly. We are also open to all possibilities, including an initial public offering (IPO) and mergers and acquisitions (M&A), to increase the company's value," he said by expressing confidence.
Sourse : TheBio (https://www.thebionews.net)
TheBio, 9/20/2023, Eum, Sang Jun (Photo : TheBio )
URL: https://www.thebionews.net/news/articleView.html?idxno=480
“Radiation cancer treatment becomes safer” ... Radexel secures independent magnetic field technology
[Interview] Kim Taesoon, CEO of Radexel
Applicable to prostate cancer and more… Successful development of small cancer treatment devices
[by Eum, Sang Jun] Radexel, a next-generation cancer treatment company, is developing radiation-based cancer treatment devices and specialized software that use magnetic fields to significantly reduce the risk of side effects. In the biotech startup market that predominantly focuses on new drugs and diagnostic devices, Radexel is carving its own path in the field of “radiation cancer treatment.”
Patients diagnosed with cancer generally have three treatment options: surgery, radiation, therapy, or chemotherapy. Initially invasive surgery, which minimizes incisions, has gained prominence with the introduction of robotic surgery. Radiation cancer treatment, a competitive field, is also making rapid developments.
Small surgical areas lead to faster recoveries. The same applies to radiation cancer treatment. Precise radiation targeting on the tumor, while sparing surrounding organs, leads to better patient outcomes.
Major medical institutions invest hundreds of billions of won in technologies like proton therapy to treat cancer with minimal side effects. However, the cost of these treatments, which can reach to tens of millions of won, poses a significant financial burden.
If there is a radiation treatment system that substantially alleviates the financial burden of treatment while maintaining a minimal risk of side effects as compared to that of larger cancer treatment devices, there will be a substantial demand in the market.
“There is a significant demand for radiation therapy devices designed to treat cancer at an affordable cost while minimizing harm to the surrounding tissue," said Kim Taesoon, CEO of Radexel, in a recent interview with , noting that radiation cancer treatment is safer when using magnetic fields.
“In order for a biotech startup to thrive, it is essential to overcome challenges within the industry. Radiation therapy presents a cost-effective and accessible avenue, and with advanced technology, competitiveness can be achieved, opening up potential for intelligent cancer treatments,” he continued.
Kim, formerly a physician by training and an executive at the multinational pharmaceutical giant MSD, as well as serving as CEO of SyntekaBio, a local AI-based novel drug development company, has had a long-standing career. The reason behind CEO Kim’s decision to venture into the field of radiation cancer treatment, often viewed as conventional, was his confidence in having acquired proprietary technology. This foresight enabled him to secure an impressive pre-Series A investment of over KRW 7 billion (approximately USD 5 million). It is currently evident that foreign institutions are also expressing interest in investing in Radexel.
Currently, Radexel is actively engaged in developing a prototype utilizing a dual-track strategy. MMRT (RDX-001) serves as a magnetic field-related medical device designed to help cancer patients safely receive radiation treatment. It works by attaching it to a large radiation therapy machine.
As an illustration, when a prostate cancer patient stands on a large radiation therapy machine equipped with MMRT, air is introduced through the rectum, creating a magnetic field. Increasing the radiation therapy dosage enhances treatment effectiveness, but it often results in damage to the surrounding tissues. A magnetic field is a region where magnetic force is exerted by a magnet or electric current.
Nonetheless, when installing MMRT, the trajectory of electrons in the X-rays that are the subject of treatment, is altered as they pass through both the magnetic field and air. Electrons are precisely targeted on the tumor, and they are dispersed into adjacent normal tissues, thereby reducing the risk of scarring. The radiation dose can be controlled by up to 30%.
"By using magnetic field technology, radiation distribution can be finely adjusted by up to 30%, reducing the occurrence of treatment side effects," Jeong Nuri-Hyeon, technical clinical manager (CMO) of Radexel and professor of radiation oncology at Kangwon National University Hospital, said. "This approach is currently being applied to prostate cancer patients, but can potentially be extended to treat other forms of cancer.”
THE BIO DB(Jeong Nuri-Hyeon, technical clinical manager (CMO) of Radexel and professor of radiation oncology at Kangwon National University Hospital)
Radexel plans to complete the MMRT prototype within this year, with clinical trials scheduled for 2024. The company is also developing specialized software for the treatment planning of this cancer treatment device.
Another project is 'Robotic endo-RT (RDX-002)', which focuses to create a compact radiation therapy device. This equipment can also regulate radiation doses using magnetic fields, thereby reducing the burden on patients. It is anticipated to be initially applied to patients with oral cancer and skin cancer. Prototype production is currently underway, aiming for completion in the first half of 2024.
"The company's greatest strength lies in securing a substantial number of original patents and we have defined our corporate identity as a next-generation cancer treatment company," Kim said. "If we release an innovative treatment device, the company will grow quickly. We are also open to all possibilities, including an initial public offering (IPO) and mergers and acquisitions (M&A), to increase the company's value," he said by expressing confidence.
Sourse : TheBio (https://www.thebionews.net)
TheBio, 9/20/2023, Eum, Sang Jun (Photo : TheBio )
URL: https://www.thebionews.net/news/articleView.html?idxno=480