Nanobiotix, which was quickly running out of funding, got a lifeline from Janssen in the form of a pact to co-develop and commercialize radio-enhancer NBTXR3.

Johnson & Johnson has capitalized on the shaky financial ground at French biotech Nanobiotix by licensing its lead product, NBTXR3, intended to enhance the efficacy of radiotherapy in various tumor types including head and neck cancer, under an agreement announced Monday. 

The designation has been granted for the investigation of NBTXR3 activated by radiation therapy, with or without cetuximab, to treat patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) who are not eligible for platinum-based chemotherapy.

• Primary endpoint was the pathological Complete Response Rate
• The main secondary endpoint was the resection margin status evaluating the quality of surgery
• NBTXR3 accumulates in tumors and is activated by radiation therapy