TAE Power Solutions partners with Aivita Biomedical for cancer research

TAE Power Solutions is the second spinoff for parent company TAE Technologies.

In 2017, the fusion energy firm from Foothill Ranch set up a subsidiary, TAE

Life Sciences, which is developing a new treatment for difficult-to-treat malignant cancers.

The method involves the creation of an “innovative biologically targeted radiation therapy” using the same base of technology used by the parent company.

It aims to build a neutron delivery system for an emerging type of radiation therapy called Boron Neutron Capture Therapy, or BNCT.

BNCT is a radiation therapy technique that offers noninvasive treatment options for cancers of the head and neck, brain tumors and other aggressive and recurrent cancers.

TAE Life announced a $30 million Series B funding round in 2020, bringing reported total funds raised to $70 million.

The company says on its website that the BNCT technique has shown “compelling

responses” in treating patients with head and neck, brain, melanoma and other recurrent and invasive cancers. Its work is still in development and its products and drugs have not been approved for sale.

TAE Life counts its headquarters in Foothill Ranch, with its drug development division in Santa Monica.

Last month, it linked up with another Orange County next-gen healthcare company, Irvine’s Aivita Biomedical, which has expertise in stem cell applications. The partnership is intended to address “an unmet need in glioblastoma treatment,” the companies said, referring to malignant cancers that affect the brain and spine.

“Advancements in biomarker capture and identification remain an elusive but critical step in improving cancer care,” said Hans Keirstead, Aivita CEO, in a statement.

“I believe this merging of our two leading-edge technologies will lead to meaningful progress in that effort.”