Implantable device to allow repeated tumor sampling in glioblastoma
Official title: Tumor Monorail Device for Serial Glioblastoma Biopsy
Funded at Exvade Bioscience, INC. · NIH-11191502 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project builds an implantable device that would let doctors safely collect repeated tumor tissue from people with glioblastoma to guide treatment decisions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Exvade Bioscience, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $999,038 |
| NIH project number | 5R44CA285039-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11191502 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be adults with a confirmed diagnosis of glioblastoma who are medically eligible for a neurosurgical implant and subsequent serial sampling.
✕Less likely to help
People with non-glioblastoma brain tumors, those who are not surgical candidates, or whose tumors are inaccessible for implantation would likely not benefit from this device.
What this research studies
If I had glioblastoma, this project would create a small implant called the Tumor Monorail that gives clinicians a safe channel to take tumor samples over time. The team is using materials with a long history of clinical use and has completed biocompatibility testing and FDA pre-submission meetings to prepare the device for human use. The R44 award supports further device development, validation testing, and steps toward clinical deployment. The aim is to provide up-to-date tumor information so doctors can tailor therapies as the tumor evolves.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the device could help doctors detect recurrence or treatment resistance earlier and tailor therapies more precisely, potentially improving outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: While cerebrospinal fluid reservoirs (e.g., Ommaya) are used clinically for sampling, implantable devices for serial solid tumor biopsies in glioblastoma are largely novel and have limited clinical proof to date.
Where this research is happening
-
Exvade Bioscience, INC.
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Meehan, Sean — Exvade Bioscience, INC.
- Study coordinator: Meehan, Sean
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.