We are an early stage biotechnology company located in San Antonio, Texas. We are developing a platform combination cancer therapy that uses laser activation of a proprietary nanoparticle to effectively kill cancer cells without causing damage to nearby healthy tissue.
A pilot safety study of the 1x and 3x doses of nanoparticles delivered intravenously and intradermally in canines demonstrated no Adverse Events and no cytotoxicity to lung, liver, kidney, and spleen.
In a recent pilot study, we successfully used a single 5-minute laser treatment of intratumorally injected proprietary nanoparticles to cause complete regression in melanoma tumors in horses within 14 days without unwanted side effects: no scarring, no unwanted side effects, and no recurrence. Our Light-Activated Intracellular Acidosis treatment also triggered an adaptive immune response that caused a 40% reduction in untreated melanoma tumors on these horses.
We have been granted Minor Use/Major Species (MUMS) status for the treatment of canine melanoma from the FDA Centers for Veterinary Medicine and are filing our Investigational New Animal Drug application in July 2025.
We are also submitting MUMS waiver requests for the use of LAIA therapy to treat:
- canine hemangiosarcoma
- canine osteosarcoma
- equine squamous cell carcinoma
- feline plasma cell tumors
Vitanova Biomedical is incorporating precision medicine in its LAIA treatment by developing an AI-assisted treatment model which will inform the wattage and duration of the laser light needed to traverse the skin, fat, muscle, and/or bone to effectively activate the nanoparticles throughout the entire volume of the tumor without causing thermal damage to healthy tissue.
Our mission is to improve the lives of cancer patients and companion animals with cancer and the professionals who care for them by providing an efficacious cancer therapy which eliminates many of the unwanted side effects of current cancer therapies.
Our team consists of experienced scientists and entrepreneurs who are passionate about cancer therapeutic and are dedicated to achieving our mission.
Vitanova Biomedical has developed a proprietary energy-based biotechnology to elicit cancer-specific intracellular acidosis. The foundation of VNB’s core technology, called Light-Activated Intracellular Acidosis, combines three proven principles accepted in today’s cancer therapeutics:
October 31. 2024
This episode features an exciting conversation with Matthew Gdovin, the Founder and Chief Science Officer of Vitanova Biomedical. Delve into the technology behind Vitanova’s cancer treatments as Matthew explains their proprietary light-activated intracellular acidosis (LAIA) therapy, which targets cancer cells with precision. We'll explore how this innovative approach uses upconverting nanoparticles and deep-penetrating light to induce cancer cell death, a technique poised to revolutionize cancer therapy. Matthew also shares insights from his rich career in cancer research, the challenges of bringing such technology from the lab to the clinic, and the future of cancer treatment innovations.
VITANOVA BIOMEDICAL LIVE INTERVIEW September 21, 2020
(SAN ANTONIO, Texas) – Vitanova Biomedical discusses their light-activated targeted cancer therapy live on the “Answers for the Family” radio show.
VITANOVA BIOMEDICAL PRESS RELEASE August 27, 2020
(SAN ANTONIO, Texas) – Vitanova Biomedical receives seed funding for R&D from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program.
Anne Vander Steel interview December 8, 2017
Dr. Gdovin describes the light-activated cancer technology
THE RIVARD REPORT February 22, 2016
The excitement in the lab was palpable as Dr. Matthew Gdovin, associate professor in the Department of Biology at UTSA, described the ground-breaking research that may change the way we treat cancer. This new treatment, Photodynamic Therapy, causes no side effects and is effective in killing some of the most difficult to cure cancers.
SCIENCE DAILY June 27, 2016
A newly patented method to kill cancer cells has been developed by an American lab. This discovery may tremendously help people with inoperable or hard-to-reach tumors, as well as young children stricken with cancer.