Seattle-based Blaze Bioscience has reportedly raised $5 million in Series A financing to advance its “Tumor Paint” technology. According to the company, the technology provides “real-time, high-resolution intraoperative visualization of cancer cells” and allows surgeons to see and remove cancerous tissue that might have otherwise gone undetected, while sparing critical normal tissue. Under development for multiple solid tumors, the first Tumor Paint product candidate combines a targeting peptide and fluorescent beacon.
“This funding is a significant milestone for Blaze Bioscience,” said President and CEO Heather Franklin. “It will allow the company to transition from the seed stage to full execution mode moving Tumor Paint into development, including product scale up and toxicology studies, on schedule.” Added Jim Olson, co-founder and board member: “We remain inspired by the needs of the pediatric brain cancer patients for whom the technology was developed.” See Blaze Bioscience Press Release, June 8, 2012.
