Nanospectra Biosciences is a private company founded in 2002. Nanospectra has an exclusive license from Rice University to eleven issued US patents related to nanoshells and related commercial uses of these and other nanoparticles. While there are numerous therapeutic, diagnostic, and industrial commercial applications, Nanospectra is focused on the development of AuroLase® Therapy utilizing AuroShell® Particles (also referred to as nanoshells) for the precise, particle-based thermal ablation of solid tumors.

Nanospectra commenced formal operations in 2002 to commercialize these applications. Nanospectra has an open Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) wtih the U.S. FDA to evaluate the safety and efficacy of AuroLase Therapy for the treatment of refractory or recurrent head and neck cancers. The use of AuroLase Therapy in other cancer types is under development.

Nanoshells were developed in the laboratories of Naomi Halas, PhD, and Stanley C. Moore, Professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering and Professor of physics, chemistry, and Biomedical engineering at Rice University, in the 1990’s. In collaboration with Jennifer West, PhD, and Isabel C. Cameron, Professor and Chair of Bioengineering of Rice University, a series of life science applications were envisioned which led to the formation of Nanospectra. Drs. Halas and West were named Inventors of the Year by the Texas Bar Assocation for one of their numerous patents licensed to Nanospectra.