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New polymer therapy blocks blood flow to tumors

Utah’s own Fluidx Medical Technology is shaking up the anti-cancer therapy world with a novel embolic therapy solution, GPX Embolic. 

In February 2021, the first human clinical trial results were released, showing successful tumor embolization using Fluidx’s proprietary polymer-based therapeutic. 

“It’s essentially a novel polymer-based material that fully blocks blood flow to tumors,” explains Libble Ginster, president and CEO of Fluidx. “Other polymer-based products on the market require a toxic solvent, dimethyl-sulfoxide (or DMSO), to exert their effect, which can cause pain and blood vessel spasm in the patient. Our solution relies solely on electrostatic mechanisms to solidify once injected, no need for extra solvents.” 

This mechanism of action in Fluidx’s product makes it very unique to other predicates currently on the market. While other options to block the blood flow of tumors have existed in the marketplace for a number of years (e.g., coils, cementing particles), there are some key reported benefits supporting the use of liquid polymer solutions. For instance, liquids have the advantage of being able to penetrate the smallest of spaces within blood vessel networks, allowing for more complete blood flow occlusion. 

Ginster elaborates on some of the key benefits of using the GPX Embolic polymer solution: 

-Ease of use: The GPX Embolic is pre-packaged and ready-to-use in the syringe, so the clinician is able to prepare the solution at the patient’s bedside in less than 1 minute.

-Predictability: The polymer material can be applied through any standard catheter or microcatheter and will solidify in a highly precise manner, allowing for optimal control while the clinician aims to occlude blood flow to the tumor(s). 

-Versatility: GPX Embolic can be used in conjunction with existing options to occlude blood vessels as well as on its own to occlude entire blood vessel beds/networks. 

Behind Ginster’s leadership, FluidX has grown in size (while maintaining a small company atmosphere) and international reputation since her joining the company in 2018. From presenting the initial in vivo results of the preliminary embolic device at the Leipzig International Congress (LINC) in Germany in early 2018, to present-day clinical results now reported from New Zealand, Fluidx has leveraged their unique, patented embolic technology toward real patient care. While it is hard to say when this new device will be scaled to more broad patient use, both internationally and within the US, Ginster hopes to begin clinical trials here in the states very soon. 

“The FDA has been very excited about this product,” says Ginster.

And Fluidx Medical Technology is looking to capitalize on that domestic excitement, seeking to expand clinical trials from overseas to the US. With the reports of highly favorable preliminary results of the first in vivo outcomes in human patients from Europe, Fluidx can now work cooperatively with the European and US regulatory bodies to get their product closer to clinical use. 

While the GPX Embolic therapeutic has initially been targeted toward tumor blood vessel blockage, there is potentially a larger scope of application. There is speculation in the field that the same kind of blood vessel blockage treatment could potentially yield positive results in pain management. For example, if an individual is suffering from an impinged nerve, blocking the blood vessel(s) supporting that misfiring nerve with an embolic therapy may provide immediate and permanent alleviation of symptoms [1]. 

There has also been evidence of success with the use of embolic therapies to regulate uncontrolled bleeding following trauma or surgical intervention [2].

Given the ever-prevalent burden of cancer-related deaths in the US and across the globe, novel, innovative therapeutics aimed at alleviating patients’ suffering and increasing survival from such devastating diseases offer brightness and hope to those in greatest need. With the supportive network of local MedTech-driven entrepreneurs and embracing legislators, Fluidx Medical Technology aspires to bring such disruptive positive change to the landscape of cancer therapy to fruition in the near future.

Founded in 2015, Fluidx Medical Technology is a small company based in Salt Lake City composed of fewer than 10 employees. They have been actively involved with local partnerships with renowned Utah institutions and opinion leaders to bolster their vision to innovate the landscape of anti-cancer treatments worldwide. Fluidx Medical Technology is focused on developing the GPX Embolic Device and other innovative technologies.  The GPX Embolic Device is not available for sale in the US or other markets, and is for investigational use only. www.FluidxMedical.com.

All images were provided by Fluidx Medical Technology.

References: 

  1. Leyon JJ, Littlehales T, Rangarajan B, Hoey ET, Ganeshan A. Endovascular embolization: review of currently available embolization agents. Curr Probl Diagn Radiol. 2014;43(1):35-53. doi:10.1067/j.cpradiol.2013.10.003
  2. Lucatelli P, Corona M, Teodoli L, et al. Use of Phil Embolic Agent for Bleeding in Non-Neurological Interventions. J Clin Med. 2021;10(4):701. Published 2021 Feb 11. doi:10.3390/jcm10040701

Jeremie is an experienced MedTech and healthcare consultant, research scientist, entrepreneur, and clinician-in-training. He is passionate about identifying clinical shortcomings and developing patient-centered solutions through novel therapeutic approaches, healthcare delivery optimization, and translational research innovation.