Austrianova: In vivo drug production

One of the problems with systemic chemotherapy is that it frequently results in widespread side effects. Austrianova FSG Biotechnologie GmbH thinks it has found a solution: delivering encapsulated, genetically modified liver cells to the tumor site, where cells then convert a chemotherapeutic prodrug to its active form.

The company's lead product, Nova-Caps, consists of genetically modified liver cells that overexpress cytochrome P450. The cells are encapsulated in cellulose sulphate polymers and implanted next to the tumor through a leg artery. According to Austrianova, one capsule has a diameter of about 0.8 mm and contains about 10,000 living cells. For therapy, about 300 capsules are administered into the blood vessels of the tumor...