NanoLit

NanoLit is a drug development company whose mission is to eliminate the post-chemotherapy heart complications for breast cancer patients. We are accomplishing this through the development of a novel drug based on a proprietary technology, which has shown promise to protect the heart while effectively killing the tumor cells. Current gold standard drugs i.e. doxorubicin, not only kill tumors but also affect other organs, especially the heart, causing ~42% deaths in breast cancer patients. By bringing together a diverse team of scientists, storytellers, and businesspeople, NanoLit aims to generate new therapies with enhanced efficacy and fewer side effects.

NanoLit’s nano-theranostic doxorubicin (NT-DOX) offers a strong competitive advantage by targeting tumors more precisely while reducing heart damage, improving safety over standard doxorubicin. It builds on an already approved drug, lowering development risk and speeding approval. This combination of better targeting, fewer side effects, and a faster regulatory pathway positions it ahead of existing treatments. NanoLit is headed by a team of experts who are best suited to take NT-DOX to the market. The co-founders of NanoLit, Zane Austin (CEO) and Nistha Neupane (CSO), have the perfect combination of scientific knowledge and business acumen, with strong leadership skills in an academic setting and extensive experience. The company is supported by experienced senior chemists and an advisory board consisting of oncologists Dr. Robert Griffin of UAMS, Dr. Omar Khalil of CARTI, Dr. Noureen Siraj of UALR in the field of chemistry, Marla Johnson of UALR Tech Launch, Karen Bergh of ASBTDC, and Moazzam Khan of Wells Fargo Bank. This advisory board guides research, clinical, regulatory, and commercialization areas. This combination ensures strategic, efficient, and well-supported development of NT-DOX. Market size is based on the conservative approach and previously published reports. Total Addressable Market (TAM) is $9.2B, consisting of a total of 305,000 patients (ACS annual report for 2025). Service Addressable Market (SAM) is $5.2B, consisting of patients receiving chemotherapy (Based on the 2025 report of the National Cancer Institute). Service Obtainable Market (SOM) is $778M consists of patients suffering from side effects of chemotherapy. NanoLit’s novel drug NT-DOX improves on the established cancer therapy, doxorubicin. Our drug is trackable in real time with IR light, ensuring it reaches tumors more effectively. Early studies in cells and mice show it kills cancer cells at lower doses while reducing heart damage. Besides of that, it lowers side effects and long-term healthcare costs by focusing on targeted delivery. With patents secured, the company plans to partner with CMOs for GMP manufacturing and engage the FDA through a pre-IND meeting. NanoLit’s drug showed promising results in killing only cancer cells without affecting the heart. Besides this, other drug variants are in the pipeline. The FDA process is faster and more predictable, as we improve an already approved drug. Furthermore, we plan to partner with regulators and manufacturers to save costs and stay competitive. NanoLit is transitioning an early patent into full patent with UALR Tech Launch. Strong IP and regulatory strategy create a competitive moat and protect market position. The business model of NanoLit is a B2B pharma model, wherein the team works on the early development of NT-DOX and then partners with other large pharma companies to take the product through clinical trials and into the market. On the supply side, NanoLit keeps things simple by working with a few manufacturing partners (CMOs). The raw materials are sourced from approved suppliers, and everything is made according to FDA regulations. The pharma partners and the hospitals will distribute the product, which makes the supply chain very scalable for the firm.