Poor perfusion
Tumor blood vessels are irregular; drug diffusion is limited to the periphery of blood vessels and cannot reach the core freely.
Introducing a new class of immuno-active Bacterial-Drug Conjugates
A new therapy to drive cancer drugs deep inside solid tumors and wake the immune system.
It changes where the cancer drug goes — not what kills the cancer cell.
Active payload distribution Hypoxic-region localization Local immune activation
Investigational technology. Preclinical results support progression toward human clinical trials.
What we are
A first-of-its-kind intratumoral biological therapy for solid tumors — using self-propelled, magnetically guided bacteria to drive a cancer drug already used in approved cancer treatments deep into hard-to-reach tumor regions, while triggering a local immune response.
- Vector Self-propelled, magnetically guided Bacterial Drones
- Payload A cancer drug already used in approved treatments
- Device PolarTrak 3D magnetic-guidance device
The Problem
Why drugs struggle to reach the tumor core
In recurrent, unresectable, or previously treated tumors, the problem is not the drug's potency — it is getting the drug deep enough to reach the whole tumor, including the low-oxygen core where resistant cancer cells survive. Solid tumors are built like fortresses.
Low-oxygen resistance
Low-oxygen zones harbor the cells most resistant to conventional therapy — the very cells current treatments fail to reach.
Surgery and radiation have limits
Surgery and radiation can cause lasting damage to healthy tissue and function, and often can't be repeated — leaving patients with few remaining options.
The Approach
Active distribution — not passive diffusion
Today, even a drug injected straight into the tumor spreads poorly through dense tissue, leaving the low-oxygen core untreated. CuraDrone's self-propelled Bacterial Drones actively distribute the drug into those hard-to-reach regions.
Conventional
Passive diffusion
Drug stays near blood vessels, leaving the core of the tumor untreated.
With CuraDrone
Active distribution
Bacterial Drones actively distribute the drug throughout the tumor volume, including its low-oxygen core.
The Platform
Three therapeutic effects, one administration
A single intratumoral injection followed by 30 minutes of magnetic guidance delivers three complementary effects.
Active drug distribution
Three-dimensional, non-ionizing magnetic fields steer Bacterial Drones across the tumor volume for approximately 30 minutes after injection.
Reach into hard-to-treat zones
The drones home in on the low-oxygen, poorly perfused core — the same regions where cancer cells resist conventional treatment.
Local immune response
The Bacterial Drones themselves trigger a local immune response inside the tumor, complementing the cancer drug — a double local effect.
How it Works
From injection to active distribution
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1
Injection
A Bacterial-Drug Conjugate (BDC) — self-propelled living bacteria carrying a cancer drug already used in approved treatments — is injected directly into the tumor.
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2
Magnetic guidance
The patient enters PolarTrak. Non-ionizing 3D magnetic fields — far below MRI field levels, with no shielding room required — steer the drones throughout the tumor for ~30 minutes.
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3
Active distribution
The drones actively distribute through the low-oxygen core that passive diffusion never reaches.
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4
Payload release
The cancer drug is released locally throughout the tumor volume, while the Bacterial Drones trigger a local immune response — a double local effect.
Patient Journey
An outpatient pathway, designed like radiotherapy
The treatment is designed to integrate naturally within routine clinical workflows — without major surgery or extended hospitalization.
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~30 min
Immobilization & MRI planning
Patient positioning and imaging to target the tumor.
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~30 min
Treatment in PolarTrak
Intratumoral injection followed by magnetic guidance.
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0.5–3 h
Observation
Standard outpatient monitoring before discharge.
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Follow-up
MRI for monitoring
Response assessment via imaging at scheduled intervals.
Clinical Focus — Phase I & II
Where we start
Initial entry on refractory locoregional tumors in anatomically accessible zones — selected by access and unmet need, not by tumor type.
- Accessible for intratumoral injection
- Measurable by imaging or clinical exam
- High unmet medical need
- Suitable for repeat local administration
- Appropriate for safety and local response assessment
Why CuraDrone
A convergence of need, science, and timing
Why this modality
Active biological distribution inside tumor tissue — including the low-oxygen core unreachable by passive intratumoral injection or body-wide treatment.
Why now
A maturing combination drug-and-device path, a proven cancer drug, and growing interest in localized, high-impact treatment bring active intratumoral delivery within reach.
Why CuraDrone
Assets — vector, device, manufacturing, IP — staged for first human validation.
Why this clinical path
Initial entry on refractory locoregional tumors in anatomically accessible zones — high unmet need, fast read-out.
Get in touch
For clinical collaborators, partners, and investors
We share detailed mechanism, preclinical, and program information under NDA.
contact@curadrone.com