News

Turkish Healthcare Startup RS Research Uses Nanotech To Selectively Destroy Tumors

The startup designed a nanotechnology platform for highly targeted delivery of drugs directly to cancer cells.

Published

3 years ago

June 17, 2021

Joanna Melki

turkish healthcare startup rs research uses nanotech to selectively destroy tumors

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All currently available types of treatment for cancer leave a lot to be desired — both in terms of their effectiveness and side effects. Chemotherapy, for example, is effective at preventing cancer from spreading to other parts of the body and even capable of eliminating it entirely, but it can’t tell the difference between cancer cells and healthy cells. Turkish healthcare startup RS Research strongly believes that it has the recipe for significantly increasing the effectiveness of drug-based cancer treatments like chemotherapy.

The startup designed a nanotechnology platform for highly targeted delivery of drugs directly to cancer cells. The platform is called Sagitta, and the name comes from the Latin word for “arrow.”

“Sagitta platform is a groundbreaking technology approach utilizing Polymer Drug Conjugates to target the tumor with a high payload of cytotoxins; resulting in high efficacy with reduced side-effect profile. In addition to moving our own candidates through clinical development, Sagitta platform is available for co-development projects,” explains RS Research on its website.

In other words, Sagitta allows drugs to do their job with minimal side effects, making it possible to avoid causing damage to healthy cells. If everything goes right, the technology could be used to support cancer treatment in Turkey and beyond as early as 2024.

Also Read: FDA Approves Israeli Cancer-Freezing Technology

Together with other innovative cancer treatments, such as gene therapy, hormone replacement therapy, and immunotherapy, scientists and doctors are gradually expanding the range of treatment options available to cancer patients, and we can only hope that a real cure isn’t too far away.

Not too long ago, the FDA approved an Israeli medical technology after demonstrating its ability to eliminate tumors using new cancer-freezing technology.

The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly accelerated many areas of medical research, and it would be a welcome turn of events if some coronavirus-related findings helped finally defeat cancer.

News

Viasat Satellite Messaging Tech Showcased In Saudi Arabia

The direct-to-device (D2D) demonstration highlighted the technology’s potential to revolutionize remote communication.

Published

4 days ago

November 28, 2024

Nour Nasir

viasat satellite messaging tech showcased in saudi arabia

Satellite communications firm Viasat announced yesterday that it had completed its first demonstration of direct-to-device (D2D) satellite connectivity technology in Saudi Arabia. The live broadcast took place during the “Connecting the World from the Skies” event in Riyadh, organized by Saudi Arabia’s Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST) alongside the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

Attendees witnessed successful satellite-based two-way messaging and SOS alerts sent using commercial Android smartphones and a combination of Viasat’s robust L-band satellite network and the Bullitt over-the-top messaging app. Signals were transmitted using the company’s L-band spacecraft positioned over the Indian Ocean, while the infrastructure for 3GPP NTN services was deployed by Viasat’s partner Skylo.

Sandeep Moorthy, Viasat’s Chief Technical Officer, emphasized the significance of the demonstration, explaining, “By expanding our direct-to-device innovation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we’re showcasing the potential for D2D services in the fast-growing Gulf and Asia-Pacific region. D2D could help reduce barriers to connectivity in regions where terrestrial services are spotty and unavailable to help transform industries and supply chains, enable new opportunities, and to become more efficient, sustainable and safer. We’d like to thank the CST for their support in carrying out this exciting demonstration”.

Also Read: Joby Begins Construction Of Dubai’s First Vertiport For Air Taxis

D2D technology allows devices like smartphones, vehicles, and industrial equipment to connect seamlessly to both satellite and terrestrial networks. Unlike traditional satellite setups, D2D eliminates the need for extra hardware, thanks to emerging global standards that are gaining traction among satellite operators, mobile network providers, and tech manufacturers.

What makes this approach particularly promising is that Viasat uses a licensed, dedicated satellite spectrum to deliver its D2D services. This avoids any interference with existing terrestrial networks, allowing smooth integration with mobile network operators in the future.

The demonstration clearly showed the potential of D2D technology to bridge connectivity gaps in remote regions while opening up opportunities for innovation, improved safety, sustainability, and efficiency.