A life-saving market potential of more than $1 billion per year.

That’s what is possible from the nanoparticulate technologies being developed for treating cancer by Columbia-based Nanoparticle Biochem, Inc., according to one of its founders, Dr. Kattesh V. Katti, MU curator’s professor of radiology and physics.

The university spin-off company, founded in 2004 by an interdisciplinary team of chemists, physicists and radiologists, focuses on research and production of an array of nanoparticle-based products. The current NBI team includes: Katti, senior vice president; Raghuraman Kannan, vice president; Henry W. White, president and CEO; Kavita K. Katti, chief science officer; and Anandhi Upendran, director of research.

The fields of nanoparticle research and applications are burgeoning ones. Researchers have found hundreds of uses for the small but mighty substances. NBI’s focus is on medicine, health and hygience.

Products developed by the research team at NBI are of high commercial value, says Upendran. The company’s nanomedicine research concentrates on developing products for the cancer diagnosis and treatment. Its antimicrobial research focuses on a series of agents with important applications for the production of antimicrobial textiles for the defense, health, hospitality and hygiene industries.

Dr. Paul Rehrig, state director of our MoFAST program, a service of the Missouri Small Business & Technology Development Centers housed in our center, says NBI has already demonstrated the ability to deliver innovative products that are ready for market.

“Nanotechnology BioChem has provided a variety of beneficial applications to society because they have built a team of experts to research and develop new products for nanomedicine applications,” says Rehrig. “Additionally, by adopting a continual improvement mindset and a proactive attitude, we believe that Nanoparticle Biochem has a good chance of success in commercializing its technology.”

Rehrig notes that many researchers eager to start technology-based companies may not have all of the answers for their enterprises from a business perspective. They need to build teams to fill the gaps in their knowledge. NBI has done that masterfully by building their internal team and reaching out to our programs for additional assistance.

NBI’s initial contact with MU’s SBTDC occurred when Upendran enrolled in a FastTrac NewVenture class taught by business specialist Virginia Wilson. Among other fundamental concepts, Upendran learned to write a business plan for NBI. After reading the plan, Wilson encouraged the NBI researcher to talk with Rehrig.

“Paul has helped us in many ways,” says Upendran. “He has provided details about research funding opportunities available through private, state and federal agencies. He also reviewed our research grant proposals and gave us feedback about presenting them in a proper format to the agencies.”

These grant application efforts have yielded several successes including two Small Business Innovation Research Phase I awards from the National Institutes of Health for $100,000 and $150,000 respectively. Also, NBI has used seed money from a $5,000 Missouri Technology Incentive Program grant to develop additional SBIR applications, results of which are pending from NIH and the Environmental Protection Agency. Our center works with the Missouri Department of Economic Development and the Missouri Technology Corp. in administering the MoTIP program.

In addition to working with Wilson and Rehrig, the NBI team also has sought advice from Jim Gann, MO SBTDC specialist, and Bill Stuby, a specialist with the Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Centers. Upendran learned about developing presentations for private angel investors during a class taught by Gann. Stuby has provided valuable information to NBI on government contracting opportunities for the firm’s antimicrobial textiles.

White, a former chair of MU’s physics and astronomy department, confirms that teamwork has been key to NBI’s early success.

“It is absolutely critical that individuals such as Dr. Kannan, and Dr. Katti and other faculty are able to consult and lend their expertise to spin-off companies such as NBI for both the generation of new technologies that benefit society and the creation of high technology jobs that benefit our economy,” says White. “The role played by MO SBTDC counselors has been critically important to our success. Their expertise and assistance have provided new opportunities for funding, and for job creation.”

NBI is a great example of the holistic service that our center provides and proves that big success can be found in very small things.

“I know I can knock on their doors anytime and they volunteer to help in any way they can,” says Upendran. “We truly appreciate their help. I’m happy this kind of service exists on the MU campus.”