In the crucible I: treating cancer pain: Miami-based Bio-Nucleonics Pharma is focused on future cancer treatments

South Florida CEO, Dec, 2003

According to the American Cancer Society, 1,334,000 new cancer cases are expected to be diagnosed in 2003. In up to 70 percent of the breast, lung and prostate cancer patients, that cancer will metastasize and spread to the bones, causing pain. In fact, nearly all late-stage cancer patients experience pain severe enough to require some form of intervention.

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Ready to roll out its generic version of what is known as a "radiopharmaceutical"--a drug that offers pain relief for these patients--is Miami-based Bio-Nucleonics Pharma, Inc. In May, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the company's Strontium Chloride Sr-89 Injection USP for that purpose. "Obtaining approval is a great accomplishment," says Rosanne Satz, Bio-Nucleonics' chief operating officer. "It demonstrates our capabilities in pharmaceutical development and manufacturing."

Under the direction of company president Stanley Satz, who worked in the defense field before turning to the bio-medical arena, Bio-Nucleonics Pharma, Inc. is a privately held, family-run company. "We were originally part of an incubator on the [University of Miami] medical center campus, but have been in our own facilities for a couple of years," says Rosanne Satz, Stanley's daughter. "Now, we're seeking capital to make the company grow--that's the most important thing for us."

Based near the UM/Jackson Memorial Medical Center, Bio-Nucleonics focuses on innovative solutions utilizing radiation, drugs and implantable medical devices to treat cancer and vascular disease. With FDA approval of its first radiopharmaceutical, the future is wide open for Bio-Nucleonics. "Once approved by the FDA you can go out and grab a share of the market," says Satz. "We're open to many options."