Targeted Therapy
Similar to molecular imaging, targeted delivery makes use of the unique molecular signature of a disease to target therapy to the afflicted region. This technique allows the selective application of therapeutic agents, such as a drug that may be toxic to the body as a whole, specifically to the diseased cells. Targeson is developing a unique ultrasound-based delivery system that allows simultaneous molecular imaging of the disease process and efficient delivery of a therapeutic agent.
Many targeted delivery systems rely upon the encapsulation of the therapeutic substance to be delivered in a capsule that is coated with a targeting molecule that specifically binds the molecular marker of the targeted disease. Most targeted delivery systems do not allow for ready confirmation that the therapeutic agent has been delivered to the desired region. By linking a delivery system with an ultrasound-based molecular reagent, simultaneous triggered delivery of the therapeutic agent and imaging of the agents in the diseased region may be accomplished. Targeson’s strategy entails coupling a therapeutic delivery system with a targeted imaging agent. In such a system, contrast imaging is able to confirm that the agents have reached the target site, and subsequent ultrasound triggering enables the release of the encapsulated therapeutic substance.