Development of Microparticles for Enhanced Embolization Therapies

The development of novel biomaterials for medical applications is a challenge that requires advancedmanufacturing techniques. For example, specialized microparticles have the potential to substantially improvethe treatment of diseases such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Microparticles enable localized therapiessuch as transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) to be used in cases where the disease has been diagnosed atan advanced stage and surgical treatment is not possible. In TACE therapy, which is a minimally-invasivealternative to surgery, microparticles are utilized as embolic agents. The particles prevent blood flow to tumorsand can also function as a targeted drug delivery system, when preloaded with a suitable drug.The proposed research is in collaboration with ABK Biomedical Inc., a dynamic medical device start-upcompany based in Nova Scotia. They are currently pursuing the development of embolic agents to treat cancerssuch as HCC. ABK's products are based on a novel radiopaque embolic bead platform that will enableclinicians to visually monitor the embolic site both during and post-procedure. They are seeking to extend theirrange of TACE products by developing advanced manufacturing techniques for the following novelbiomaterials: (1) polymer-coated glass embolic microspheres to facilitate drug-delivery and (2) polymer-blendembolic microspheres. Dr. Brooks' research team at Dalhousie University will investigate advancedmanufacturing techniques for the development of a suitable polymer-coating for the glass microspheres andnew polymer-blends for synthesizing radiopaque embolic microspheres.