Overview of innovation

Nanomedicine is revolutionising cancer care. By harnessing particles smaller than 100 nanometers, scientists can now target cancer cells with precision while sparing healthy tissue. These nano-scale delivery vehicles—like liposomes and dendrimers—boast a high surface area and customizable chemistry, enabling smarter, safer therapies. 

Stellenbosch's plant-derived gold nanoparticles take this further: they are naturally synthesised, biocompatible, and selectively toxic to breast cancer cells. This next-generation formulation is reshaping what’s possible in precision oncology.

Preclinical tests have demonstrated the nanoparticles’ potent and selective anti-tumor activity against breast cancer cell lines, with minimal impact on healthy cells. The formulation has shown strong in vivo results in tumour suppression and survival benefits, positioning it as a promising candidate for further clinical development.

Type of Intellectual Property protection
Patent
Innovation Opportunity Type
Licensing
Partnership
Industry
​Manufacturing
Manufacture of pharmaceuticals, medicinal chemical and botanical products
Professional, scientific and technical activities
Scientific research and development
Human health and social work activities
Human health activities
Technology Readiness Level
TRL 5 – Prototype tested in a controlled environment
Website link
https://innovus.inteum.com/innovus/Minuet/app/disclosure/5398827?tab=documents