Sanovas Receives Patent Allowance for Drug Delivery System

Sanovas Inc. has been awarded a patent allowance for its nested balloon catheter for localized drug delivery, which is a component of the company’s Vas Zeppelin smart catheter technology portfolio. The patent covers a unique minimally invasive system and method for delivering diagnostic and therapeutic agents to small diameter anatomy in the lungs and throughout the body.

“This patent is an important milestone in the protection of the company’s proprietary drug delivery technologies,” said Erhan Gunday, chief technology officer and co-founder of Sanovas. “With more than 45 patents and patents pending, Sanovas has built a strong IP portfolio for our micro-invasive diagnostics, devices and drug delivery technologies that poise to significantly advance the way pulmonary diseases, such as lung cancer, are detected and treated.”

The nested balloon catheter patent, written by Sanovas founders Erhan Gunday and Larry Gerrans, will protect an integral part of the company’s NanoVas drug delivery technology. Drug delivery systems such as Sanovas’ that can deliver localized, tumor-specific drugs hold potential for overcoming systemic toxicity, a particular concern for chemotherapy, especially platinum-based chemotherapy.

“As we advance the science of personalized medicine, the ability to deliver customized immune and gene therapy will transform the way cancer and chronic disease are treated. Sanovas is proud to be at the forefront of these significant advances,” Gerrans said.

Sanovas’ Vas Zeppelin Smart Catheter technology portfolio is designed to access, image, measure, and diagnose anatomy in small airways and vessels residing at or below three millimeters in diameter. Vas Zeppelin’s surgical camera allows the removal of tumors and other obstructions and enables the local delivery of drug and immune therapies to patients suffering from lung cancer and related pulmonary and vascular diseases, the company claims.

Based in Sausalito, Calif., Sanovas develops micro-invasive diagnostics, devices and drug-delivery technology.