HIL Applied Medical Ltd, a Jerusalem based medical technology startup, has acquired Nanolabz Inc., a Reno, Nevada company born out of University of Nevada research and focused on developing and fabricating smart targets for laser-based proton acceleration. HIL Applied Medical is developing a new class of ultra-compact, high-performance Proton Beam Therapy systems, based on high-intensity lasers and nano-engineered smart targetry.
“Today’s announcement is important on several levels,” Sagi Brink-Danan, chief executive officer of HIL, said, “The acquisition immediately doubles HIL’s patent portfolio, thus further fortifying our already-strong IP position in our field. It also adds strong, complimentary talent to our team, and provides a strong base for HIL’s US operations. We are looking forward to working together with the NanoLabz and UNR teams towards our joint goal of building the world’s first laser-based cancer proton therapy system.”
NanoLabz co-founders Dr Jesse Adams and Steven Malekos said they are thrilled to have found a great partner for NanoLabz’ technology with HIL, adding, “We are looking forward to working with HIL’s world-class, committed and capable team on translating cutting-edge technology into products that will benefit cancer patients worldwide.”
Co-founder and president of Nanolabz, Grant Korgan, added, “It’s a joy to see us reach this milestone. It is a testament to hard work and the power of positivity.” Korgan suffered a major spinal cord injury in 2010, and has since become a local and global inspiration, TED-lecturer and sought-after public speaker.
UNR president Dr. Marc Johnson stated that he was pleased to see this milestone, which highlights the institution’s role as an internationally respected, high-impact research university.
A proton beam is a form of focused radiation used to treat solid tumours. It is superior to traditional radiation therapy (X-Ray, or Photons) in that it reduces damage to surrounding healthy tissue by 2X-6X, thereby reducing toxicities and improving patient survival and quality of life. Proton therapy is used routinely for treating many types of cancer; it is FDA-cleared (510k) and reimbursed by both Federal and private insurers.
Proton beam therapy can help an estimated 300,000 cancer patients every year in the US – yet last year only 10,000 received it (that’s less than 4%). Protons are arguably the most advanced form of radiation therapy – yet there are only 19 active proton-therapy centers in the US today; compare with over 2,700 traditional (X-Ray) radiation therapy centers. The main barrier to widespread adoption is the large size (football stadium) and high cost ($150-250M) of building and operating a proton therapy center. Single-room solutions are slowly being introduced by some vendors for $30-50M. The key to making protons available to every patient in every midsize hospital is a scalable, add-on, single-room solution for half the current price tag or less. HIL’s technological breakthrough promises to bring about this revolution.