Focused Ultrasound for Non-Invasive Drug Delivery of Neurotherapeutics

Unmet Medical Need:  Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and multiple sclerosis take more lives combined each year than any other illness. However, most of these diseases remain undertreated because the blood-brain barrier limits the delivery of drugs.

Envisioned Healthcare Product: The team has pioneered the use of focused ultrasound to noninvasively and reversibly open the blood-brain barrier, allowing drugs to traverse into targeted brain regions. The team is in the process of confirming the safety of focused ultrasound-enabled blood-brain barrier opening.

Stage of Development:  Optioned to industry

2007 Article.

Collaborative Research Team:  Elisa Konofagou PhD and Scott Small MD

Funding Cycle: 2012-2013