0925_THOR-053BMar-hammr-lg (IMAGE)

Rice University

0925_THOR-053BMar-hammr-lg

Caption

A prototype of the “hybrid advanced molecular manufacturing regulator,” or HAMMR, a “closed-loop,” drug-producing implant smaller than an adult’s finger that is being developed to treat ovarian, pancreatic and other difficult-to-treat cancers. The implant, which is small enough to be implanted with minimally invasive surgery, will be able to continuously monitor a patient’s cancer and adjust their immunotherapy dose in real time. It is under development by a Rice University-led team of researchers from eight universities and two companies in seven states and is supported by a $45 million award from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health that includes funding for a first-phase clinical trial for recurrent ovarian cancer within five years.

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Credit: Brandon Martin/Rice University

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Must credit: Brandon Martin/Rice University

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