Nanobiotix SA, whose lead product is a radioenhancer for cancer, has extended its cash runway into the fourth quarter of 2025 following receipt in January of a $20 million milestone payment from Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, its development partner. The lead product, NBTXR3 has been given a ‘fast track’ designation by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of elderly patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who are ineligible for cisplatin chemotherapy. In an ongoing Phase 3 trial, the drug is being evaluated with or without cetuximab (Erbitux).
NBTXR3 is an aqueous suspension of crystalline hafnium oxide nanoparticles for injection directly into tumours and activated by radiotherapy. The product is intended to amplify the tumour-killing action of radiotherapy without affecting the surrounding healthy tissue.
In addition to its partnership with Janssen, Nanobiotix has an ongoing collaboration with the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas, US. This is investigating the potential of radioenhancers across multiple tumours. Five trials are underway, including those in non-small cell lung cancer and oesophageal and pancreatic cancers. According to Nanobiotix, the physical mode of action of NBTXR3 could be scalable across any solid tumour that can be treated with radiotherapy and across any therapeutic combination, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors.
On 18 September, the company reported that it had cash and cash equivalents of €66.3 million at the end of the first half year. Spending on R&D amounted to €22 million. This compared with revenue and other income of €9.3 million.
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