Alpheus Medical, a private, clinical-stage oncology company specializing in sonodynamic therapy (SDT) for the treatment of solid body cancers, today announced the closing of an oversubscribed $52 million Series B financing round. The funds will support a Phase 2B randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluating the efficacy of SDT in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma (GBM).
"The complex and diffuse nature of glioblastomas has long hindered therapeutic innovation," said Conrad Wang M.D., Partner at HealthQuest Capital. "Alpheus' sonodynamic therapy represents a novel, non-invasive whole brain approach with compelling early data. This investment reflects our commitment to advancing transformative technologies that seek to fill critical gaps in patient unmet needs."
Alpheus' platform delivers non-thermal, tumor-selective therapy activated by low-intensity diffuse ultrasound (LIDU) with oral 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA). Without the need for imaging or sedation, this combination selectively targets and destroys cancer cells across the entire brain hemisphere. This novel treatment option is performed in an outpatient setting. Promising early results from two studies highlight the potential of SDT therapy in both newly diagnosed and recurrent glioblastoma patients.
"This investment is a key inflection point for Alpheus and the glioblastoma community – advancing sonodynamic therapy from promise to clinical validation," commented Vijay Agarwal, MD, FAANS, FCNS, President and CEO of Alpheus Medical. "With this support, we are poised to generate pivotal evidence that could help establish a new standard of care for newly diagnosed brain tumors."
