Skip to content
i2E
  • Programs
    • For Startups
      • E3
      • Bridge2
      • OCN
    • For Students
      • Entrepreneur’s Cup
    • For Corporations
    • For Investors
  • Client Portfolio
  • About
    • Our Values
    • Meet Our Team
    • Board of Directors
    • Corporate Partners
  • Events
  • Contact
  • Media
  • Programs
    • For Startups
      • E3
      • Bridge2
      • OCN
    • For Students
      • Entrepreneur’s Cup
    • For Corporations
    • For Investors
  • Client Portfolio
  • About
    • Our Values
    • Meet Our Team
    • Board of Directors
    • Corporate Partners
  • Events
  • Contact
  • Media
Search

Shared knowledge, cooperation can lead to breakthroughs

Get in Touch

By Scott Meacham
Copyright © 2017, The Oklahoma Publishing Co.

NanoMed Targeting Systems, an early stage company founded in Oklahoma, is developing a state-of-the-art magnetically targeted drug delivery system utilizing nanotechnology to dramatically change the lives of millions of people worldwide suffering from atrial fibrillation.

As happens so often in the world of startups, there’s a bit of serendipity in how this startup came about.

Back in 2007, a group of medical companies from Israel visited the U.S. on an information exchange. Alex Harel, a retired Israeli Air Force lieutenant colonel, serial entrepreneur, and now NanoMed CEO, was in the group. He came to talk nanotechnology with scientists at the University of Indiana, but since the Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center was also included in the trip, he came here as well.

On the visit, Harel met Kenneth Dormer, Ph.D., an OU Health Sciences Center scientist and researcher working in nanoparticles and nanotechnology. They talked about their work. One thing led to another, and NanoMed was formed utilizing proprietary magnetic nanotechnology licensed from the Health Sciences Center.

NanoMed’s first application is the treatment of atrial fibrillation, the most common cardiac arrhythmia. Atrial fibrillation is found in 5 percent of people over 65 and 10 percent of those over 80. It’s a progressive disease which is typically initially treated with blood thinners and beta blockers, and then, as the disease develops, with a highly invasion procedure known as RF ablation.

NanoMed is developing an alternative procedure in which magnetic nanoparticles carrying a therapeutic payload are injected into the blood stream and directed magnetically to the targeted area in the body. NanoMed has successfully completed much of the preclinical work and is advancing toward Phase I clinical trials.

“When we started, we were uncertain about this wild idea of inserting a payload with nanomagnetic technology,” Harel said. “Now that it’s working, we believe that it can do the job we faster, safer, and with a less expensive procedure.”

Here’s what we really like about this deal.

NanoMed is building a cross-disciplinary solution that is a convergence of leading-edge technologies — including OU’s world class capabilities in heart rhythm — that has the potential to be life-changing for the millions of people suffering from the effects of atrial fibrillation.

Experts from across the world are collaborating to build a solution that patients and health care professionals really need. One only has to look to NanoMed’s advisory board to appreciate the scientific expertise that’s propelling this company.

“I’m very much looking forward to seeing the first patient with successful treatment and bringing something good to humanity,” Harel said.

This is what breakthroughs in biotech require — a passion for helping patients, shared intelligence, and a willingness to cooperate across functions, states, and even countries. And a little serendipity.

Scott Meacham is president and CEO of i2E Inc., a nonprofit corporation that mentors many of the state’s technology-based startup companies. i2E receives state support from the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology and is an integral part of Oklahoma’s Innovation Model. Email Meacham at [email protected].

Read the article at newsok.com

 

 

 

More News

Loading...
Blog, Featured, News
06.25.25

i2E Showcases Startup Innovation at Bridge2 Cohort 3 Demo Day

Read more
Blog, Entrepreneur's Cup Featured, Entrepreneur's Cup News
04.25.25

Oklahoma Collegiate Entrepreneurs Take Home Over $167K at Entrepreneur’s Cup

Read more
Blog, Featured, News
12.16.24

MidAmerica and i2E Announce Award Winners

Read more
Blog, Featured, News
11.21.24

i2E & Plains Ventures Surpasses $100M Milestone in Total Investments

Read more
Blog
09.30.24

i2E Receives 2024 Excellence in Economic Development Award from IEDC

Read more
Blog
06.18.24

Bridge2 Demo Day Returns, Highlighting Promising Oklahoma Startups

Read more
Blog, Entrepreneur's Cup Featured, Entrepreneur's Cup News
05.13.24

Student Entrepreneurs Triumph at 20th Anniversary Entrepreneur’s Cup, Winning $158,000 in Prizes

Read more
Default Featured Image
Blog, Entrepreneur's Cup News
04.24.24

Beyond the Cup: Tracking Success Stories from the Entrepreneur’s Cup Series – Jessica Kinsey

Read more
Default Featured Image
Blog, Entrepreneur's Cup News
04.23.24

Beyond the Cup: Tracking Success Stories from the Entrepreneur’s Cup Series – Nathan Fountain

Read more
Default Featured Image
Blog, Entrepreneur's Cup Featured, Entrepreneur's Cup News
04.23.24

Beyond the Cup: Tracking Success Stories from the Entrepreneur’s Cup Series – Srijita Ghosh

Read more
Default Featured Image
Blog, Entrepreneur's Cup Featured, Entrepreneur's Cup News
04.18.24

Beyond the Cup: Tracking Success Stories from the Entrepreneur’s Cup Series – MaxQ

Read more
Blog, i2E
01.30.24

i2E Celebrates Success of Inaugural Bridge2 Demo Day

Read more
i2E

Oklahoma City Office

201 Robert S Kerr Ave, Suite 600
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
+1 (405) 235.2305

Tulsa Office

12 N. Cheyenne Ave, Suite 112
Tulsa, OK 74103
+1 (918) 582.5592

  • Client Portfolio
  • About Us
  • Media
  • Events
  • Contact
  • Resources
  • Funding
  • Venture Advisory

© 2025 i2E Privacy Policy

Follow us:

Linkedin Twitter Facebook Instagram Youtube

Programs

  • For Startups
    • E3
    • Bridge2
    • OCN
  • For Students
    • Entrepreneur’s Cup
  • For Corporations
  • For Investors
  • For Startups
    • E3
    • Bridge2
    • OCN
  • For Students
    • Entrepreneur’s Cup
  • For Corporations
  • For Investors
  • Client Portfolio

Services

  • Access to Funding
  • Venture Advisory Services
  • Events
  • Contact
  • About
  • Our Values
  • Our Team
  • Board of Directors
  • Corporate Partners
  • Media
i2E