集束超音波(HIFU：ハイフ)治療 | ソニア・セラピュ－ティクス株式会社

Sonics Brings New Future to Cancer Patients

SONIRE

SONIRE Therapeutics Inc. (SONIRE) is developing a next-generation high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment system that uses acoustic engineering (ultrasound) technology created through cutting-edge research conducted by academia.

Note: The description on our website illustrates the development status of devices still under development and is not intended to promote or advertised the device. In addition, it is HP created for the purpose of providing information to business people or investors.

New methods to treat cancer are currently being developed, increasing the number of options available. However, there are still cancers for which treatment methods are limited.
SONIRE have been developing a next-generation high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment system as a new treatment modality in hopes of bringing a new future to cancer patients and their families.

NEWS

2024.10.08: Press release; SONIRE’s HIFU therapy system has been designated as a Breakthrough Device by FDA

2023.12.28: Publication; HIFU treatment for pancreatic cancer will be broadcast on NHK WOLRD

2023.09.08: Grand; Notice of Adoption being seleced for “Deep Tech Startup Support Program” by New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO)

2023.06.09: Notice; Selected for the Olympus Asia Pacific Innovation Program

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CONCEPT

Striving for a new therapeutic modality for pancreatic cancer

About cancer

Currently, 1 in 2 people will develop cancer, and 1 in 3 will die from it.

Cancer development rate

Men

63%

Women

48%

Cancer death rate

Men

34%

Women

26%

(Source: Compiled from "National Cancer Center Japan Cancer Information Service, Updated August 3, 2021 (https://ganjoho.jp/reg_stat/statistics/stat/summary.html)”)

5-year relative survival rate for cancer

One of the standards used to classify the progress of cancer is the internationally recognized standard adopted by the Union for International Cancer Control. There are 5 major stages based on how much the cancer has spread: Stage 0, Stage I, Stage II, Stage III, and Stage IV.
(Source: Compiled from "National Cancer Center Japan, Updated on March 17, 2020 (https://ganjoho.jp/reg_stat/statistics/stat/summary.html)")

Treatment effects and survival rates depend on the type of cancer. Among them, pancreatic cancer has a survival rate of less than 10%, making it one of the most intractable cancers. The pancreas is the first target of SONIRE, which is developing HIFU treatments to provide a new solution.

About HIFU

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) refers to a method of treatment that does not involve invasive methods like surgery.

An ultrasound transducer is used to generate ultrasound waves outside the body, which are then focused on the target area inside the body. As the HIFU propagates through the body’s tissues, some of the ultrasound energy is absorbed and converted into heat, which significant increases the temperature in the focal area of the HIFU where the ultrasound intensity is high, resulting in tissue heating and necrosis to treat cancer.
The effects of the treatment are used in a wide range of applications as follows.

Diseases for which HIFU is currently used (in Japan)

Prostate enlargement
Parkinson’s disease
essential tremors

Our aim is to apply HIFU to oncology, where it is not yet used in Japan.

Research collaborators

薬物送達学教室

We collaborate with various research institutions to develop HIFU.

TECHNOLOGY

About SONIRE’s technology

-Short time treatments possible
-Treatment area clearly shown via the ultrasound guide

The ultrasound-guided HIFU therapy system is being developed with the 2 features above in mind.

To achieve this, SONIRE is taking an approach involving the creation of cavitation bubbles. Cavitation refers to a physical phenomenon in which bubbles are generated and dissipated in a short period of time due to pressure differences in a liquid stream. SONIRE’s technology utilizes the absorption of ultrasound energy by the cavitation bubbles generated by ultrasonic pressure to enhance the heating effect and allow for quicker treatment.

Furthermore, while confirming the treatment area becomes difficult due to the resonance of the HIFU sound waves and the ultrasound guide, SONIRE generates cavitation bubbles in the treatment bubbles to visualize the treatment area.

SONIRE is currently developing the next-generation HIFU therapy system and is aiming to achieve commercialization in the oncology field within the next few years.

Next-generation therapy for intractable cancer

- Development of the world’s first cavitation-enhanced US-guided HIFU therapy system. -

High Intensity Focused Ultrasound

HIFU

Next-generation US-guided HIFU treatment device.

HIFU treatment mechanism

Focused ultrasound energy

Heating, necrosis

The US-guided HIFU treatment device uses ultrasound (US) imaging to monitor the affected area and uses high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) to heat and destroy the cancer.

The benefits of HIFU treatment: The treatment is minimally invasive so the burden on the patient is reduced.; One-day treatments allow patients to receive treatment while working.; Unlike radiation, treatments can be repeated.

The features of our HIFU device

The next-generation US-guided HIFU therapy system that we are developing uses our proprietary irradiation system, a US-guidance system, and a robot guidance system.

01 HIFU interference reduction method to secure the field of view during treatment

US-guided HIFU therapy system equipped with our technology
Cavitation bubbles generated by ultrasound pulses allow the treatment area to be visualized

02 Visualization of treatment areas using cavitation bubbles.

Cavitation bubbles generated by ultrasound pulses allow the treatment area to be visualized.

03 Cavitation enhanced visualization of the treatment area

04 High treatment efficiency through multi-channel multi-point irradiation.

Heating and necrosis effects lead to shorter treatment times.

05 High precision and intuitive positioning achieved through robot guidance.

Precision drive mode: Irradiation position control in mm units.

Manual mode: Intuitive positioning

Simple operations allow precise treatments to be executed as planned.

COMPANY

Company overview

Company name: SONIRE Therapeutics Inc.

Board members: President & CEO：Tohru Satoh
Vice President & COO：Jun Okamoto
Vice President & CFO：Naoki Kobayashi
External Board Member：Hiroko Kimura (FTI)

Employees: 20

Head office: 803 Nihonbashi Life Science Building2, 3-11-5 Nihonbashi Honcho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0023, Japan

Google Map

Established: February 2020

Fiscal year end: December

Capital: JPY 100 million

Business description: Development of ultrasound-guided highly focused ultrasound (HIFU) therapy system.

License / Registration: First class Medical Device Marketing Authorization Holder in Japan（License No. 13B1X10386）
Medical Device Manufacturer in Japan （Registration No. 13BZ201664）

Background of establishment

SONIRE is developing a next-generation ultrasound-guided HIFU therapy system using the technology, know-how, and regulatory science experience built put over a decade at Tokyo Women’s Medical University, Tohoku University, and Tokyo Medical University.

2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020

Research at Tokyo Medical University

Clinical research on pancreatic cancer using HIFU made in China.
(Original research by the Department of Gastroenterology at Tokyo Medical University)

Research at Tokyo Women’s Medical University and Tohoku University

2009-2013: FIRST (Funding Program for World-Leading Innovative R&D on Science and Technology) program “Innovation in Diagnosis and Treatment led by Nanotechnology”

2011-2016: METI Strategic Program for Accelerating International Standardization International Standard Joint R&D and Dissemination Infrastructure/International Standard Joint R&D

2012-2016: Innovative Medical Products/Medical Devices/Regenerative Medical Products Commercialization Promotion Business

2013-2021: Center of Innovation Science and Technology based Radical Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program (COI STREAM)
Joined the Open Innovation Center for Manufacturing Leading the Transformation to a Smart Life Care Society

Confluence

2014-2018: AMED R&D of Advanced Medical Devices and Systems for Future Medical Care
Development of smart treatment rooms that improve both safety and medical efficiency

2015-2017: AMED Medical Device Development Promotion Research Project Development of practical acoustic mechanical therapy combining focused ultrasound treatment devices and drug delivery systems.

Members

Supporters

Supporting/Affiliate

Investors

Business partners

CONTACT

If you are interested in our business, please contact us at the email address below.

info@sonire-t.com