More than
four million people are diagnosed with cancer every year in the Americas,
according to the Pan American Health Organization. The institution predicts
this figure will continue to rise, surpassing six million by 2045. Yet, the
World Economic Forum warns that only 39% of countries finance the basic
components of cancer treatment.
Julieta
Porta (Argentina, 26) has identified a major lack of personalization in the
treatments currently available. “Current therapies fail in 95% of patients with
Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM), one of the most aggressive types of brain
tumors. These patients have an average life expectancy of 15 months and suffer
severe side effects,” she explains.
In search
of a solution, this engineer with a business specialization from Juan Agustín
Maza University (Argentina) has developed SphereBio, an initiative focused on
creating personalized cancer vaccines. “We use the patient’s own tumor cells to
produce modified nanoparticles, OncoSpheres, which carry the tumor’s antigens or
signals directly to immune system cells. This triggers a powerful immune
response targeted specifically at the patient’s cancer,” she explains.
According
to Porta, the personalized approach not only enhances treatment effectiveness
but also reduces the likelihood of tumor recurrence. SphereBio’s vaccines can
be integrated with other therapies, such as radiation or chemotherapy, as well
as with surgery. “This enables more effective disease control, while reducing
toxicities and improving the patient’s quality of life,” she adds.
Over the
course of her work, many cancer patients have reached out to SphereBio in
search of alternative treatment options. “One message read, ‘Hello, my baby is
five months old and has a brain tumor. We don’t want to do chemo or radiation
because they seem too aggressive.’ Another said, ‘My husband is 47, has already
undergone brain surgery, received chemo and radiation, but the tumor keeps
coming back.’ These are just a few of the many stories we receive, filled with
pain and despair,” shares the founder.
SphereBio
was born from this personal drive and has only grown stronger with the
recognition of its technology’s potential to change lives. “Our mission is
rooted in the urgent need to offer more effective and personalized solutions,
so stories like these can have a different ending,” Porta emphasizes.
The
Argentinian entrepreneur holds high expectations for this biotech platform. “Our
project will contribute to society by improving cancer treatment effectiveness
and reducing side effects, ultimately extending and enhancing patients’ lives.
Additionally, the expansion of SphereBio will create jobs and production
opportunities in the biotech and research sectors, driving innovation and
development in this critical area.” Her vision extends beyond cancer: the
technology is also being explored for other diseases, including infectious
conditions, and to develop platforms for personalized immune system modulation.
Currently,
the platform remains in the preclinical research phase and does not yet serve
commercial clients. Nonetheless, it is advancing through trials that
demonstrate the success of this personalized therapy, offering renewed hope for
cancer patients.
The company
was accelerated by MIT Idea2 in 2024 and has received recognition from several
innovation programs, including Endeavor WE and Startup Chile Ignite, among
others. It is also one of the 10 winners of the WeXchange competition by IDB
Lab. SphereBio has established strategic connections with leading institutions
such as Mass General Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and the
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in the United States. Porta’s
research and accomplishments have earned her a spot among MIT Technology Review in Spanish 35 Innovators Under 35.
