Development of technology and capabilities critical for clinical translation of first of its kind brain tumour therapy

Glioblastoma is the most common and aggressive primary adult brain cancer. Global incidence is 3-5/100,000 persons and rising, with c.3000 UK diagnoses/year. There is no cure and the 5-year survival rate is ~3.4%.

Electric Field therapy (EFT) is a new form of cancer treatment applied after tumour resection that directly interferes with cell division, slowing tumour recurrence and prolonging life. However, the only available electrotherapy device for glioblastoma is not recommended for use on the NHS by NICE due to poor patient quality-of-life and low cost-effectiveness.

QV Bioelectronics (QVB) is developing GRACE, a first of its kind implanted EFT device. GRACE delivers EFT in a focal and continuous manner that will potentially double glioblastoma patient life expectancy, leading to up to 10-times higher 5-year survival rates whilst overcoming quality-of-life issues associated with the existing EFT treatment. QVB have demonstrated initial safety during preclinical development, with pre-clinical efficacy testing taking place in parallel to this project.

As part of this project, QVB aims to carry out additional development steps to ensure GRACE will be ready for 1st in human trials in UK patients by the end of 2024\.

QVB's device is still undergoing pre-clinical development and will not be ready to be prescribed to patients for several years. QVB's technology will be expanded to other types of brain tumours in future, with our research and innovation hub creating a significant number of jobs in the UK, creating a combined global market opportunity worth over £3.9Bn/year. This will cement the UK's position as global leaders in the growing field of bioelectronics.