TAE Life Sciences and Ohio State Forge Landmark Partnership to Advance Boron-Based Precision Cancer Therapies
In a significant leap forward for precision oncology, TAE Life Sciences (TLS), a pioneer in accelerator-based cancer treatment technologies, has announced a transformative collaboration with The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James). The partnership, formalized through a Letter of Intent (LOI), will focus on the development and evaluation of novel boron-containing drug compounds critical to Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT)—a promising next-generation treatment for difficult-to-treat cancers.
This collaboration is the first academic-industry alliance of its kind in the United States devoted exclusively to advancing BNCT drug innovation. By combining TLS’s expertise in boron drug discovery and neutron source technology with OSUCCC – James’s renowned clinical and translational research capabilities, the partnership aims to unlock the full potential of BNCT as a novel and highly targeted approach in the emerging field of precision cancer therapy.
A Strategic Alliance for Transformative Cancer Innovation
The core objective of this partnership is to accelerate the development of next-generation boron delivery agents that can selectively target tumor cells while sparing healthy tissue—an area where BNCT holds considerable promise. Unlike conventional therapies that often affect both malignant and non-malignant cells, BNCT leverages the unique properties of boron-10 isotopes to deliver lethal radiation directly to cancer cells at the cellular level when exposed to a neutron beam.
“We are entering a pivotal moment in cancer therapy,” said Dr. Arnab Chakravarti, Chair and Professor of Radiation Oncology, Klotz Family Chair of Cancer Research, and Director of the Brain Tumor Program at Ohio State. “BNCT offers an unprecedented opportunity to treat malignancies that are otherwise unresponsive to conventional therapies, while sparing healthy tissue. Our laboratory is uniquely poised to lead this next wave of boron drug innovation, and we are excited to collaborate with TAE Life Sciences in accelerating this effort on a global scale.”
Dr. Chakravarti’s expertise and Ohio State’s cutting-edge infrastructure provide an ideal platform to evaluate TLS’s proprietary boron-10 drug compounds in both in vitro (cellular) and in vivo (animal) preclinical models. The collaboration also benefits from Ohio State’s specialized neutron source, optimized for BNCT research applications—an essential tool in evaluating the therapeutic efficacy and pharmacokinetics of these advanced compounds.
Pioneering the Next Generation of BNCT Therapeutics
The initial phase of the collaboration will center on the preclinical validation of TLS’s boron-10 drugs, designed for superior tumor targeting, higher selectivity, and minimal systemic toxicity. This preclinical work will generate essential data to support investigational new drug (IND) applications and advance candidate compounds into early-stage clinical trials.
Simultaneously, the two organizations will work jointly on the design and development of next-generation boron drugs intended not only for BNCT but also for potential use in adjacent therapeutic and diagnostic applications, such as boron-enhanced imaging, combination therapies, and other targeted radionuclide treatments. This multifaceted approach expands the scope of boron-based medicine and could set the stage for BNCT to become a central component in multimodal precision oncology regimens.
According to Robert Hill, CEO of TAE Life Sciences, the collaboration represents a milestone in TLS’s strategic vision to establish a robust clinical and translational pathway for BNCT innovation in the United States.
“This partnership marks a major leap forward for the future of BNCT,” said Hill. “We are deeply honored to collaborate with Dr. Chakravarti and his world-class team of research and clinical experts. Their pioneering track record of leadership and innovation will be instrumental not only in advancing the science behind novel boron drug compounds but also in paving the way toward potential regulatory approval. Together, we’re creating a dynamic force for innovation that has the potential to redefine cancer care.”
Global Context and U.S. Leadership in BNCT Innovation
While BNCT is still emerging in the United States, it has gained significant traction internationally. Countries such as Japan, Taiwan, and several European nations have already implemented BNCT in clinical settings, with early results demonstrating encouraging outcomes in patients with recurrent or treatment-resistant tumors, including glioblastomas, head and neck cancers, and certain types of melanoma.
These international data sets have validated BNCT’s potential to provide long-lasting tumor control and improved quality of life, even in cases where traditional therapies such as chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation have failed. However, the United States has largely lagged behind in terms of investment, infrastructure, and clinical adoption—largely due to the complexity of neutron source development and the absence of dedicated domestic boron drug pipelines.
Hill believes this collaboration can help change that.
“This partnership establishes a key pillar for accelerator-based BNCT in the United States,” he said. “It not only advances our drug development efforts but also helps catalyze a broader national ecosystem for BNCT innovation. We see this as the foundation for developing a pipeline of clinically validated boron agents and treatment protocols that can serve both U.S. and global markets.”
He emphasized that by combining the resources and talent of TLS and OSUCCC – James, the collaboration could significantly reduce the timeline for translating BNCT innovations from the lab bench to the patient bedside. This accelerated pathway could be critical for patients with limited or no remaining treatment options.
Toward Regulatory Pathways and Future Clinical Trials
The preclinical work enabled through this collaboration will play a critical role in informing future Investigational New Drug (IND) applications to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Regulatory success is essential to unlock the full commercial and clinical potential of boron-based therapies in the U.S. healthcare system.
Beyond IND filings, the partnership will also explore the framework for Phase 1/2 clinical trials, particularly for rare and aggressive cancers with high unmet medical need. TLS and OSUCCC – James plan to leverage Ohio State’s clinical trial infrastructure and translational science ecosystem to support these future studies.
Additionally, the partnership may expand to include co-development of companion diagnostics, imaging tools, and patient selection criteria to further personalize BNCT therapies and improve patient outcomes.
A Vision for the Future of Precision Oncology
The collaboration between TAE Life Sciences and OSUCCC – James underscores a broader paradigm shift in oncology: moving away from one-size-fits-all therapies toward highly targeted, biologically informed treatment strategies. BNCT exemplifies this trend by harnessing a tumor’s molecular and spatial characteristics to deliver localized, high-dose radiation with minimal collateral damage.
For both organizations, this partnership is about more than just drug development—it represents a shared commitment to pioneering therapies that offer new hope to patients and potentially rewrite the future of cancer treatment.
As Hill concluded, “We’re proud to partner with one of the nation’s top cancer research institutions in this mission. Together, we’re not only advancing science—we’re advancing the possibility of survival, recovery, and quality of life for patients everywhere.”
