In March 2020, the world’s first Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) system, along with the first boron-based drug, Steboronine, received approval in Japan for the treatment of inoperable advanced or recurrent head and neck cancer. This landmark development dramatically increased the five-year survival rate of patients from below 3% to over 60%, positioning BNCT as a prominent focus in global oncology research. Subsequently, hundreds of clinical trials were initiated for malignant melanoma, lung cancer, liver cancer, and breast cancer, all yielding promising results. BNCT has since gained widespread recognition as a cutting-edge radiation therapy, often considered alongside proton therapy and heavy ion therapy as one of the “three pillars” of next-generation radiation technologies.

Btentech has leveraged this innovation by developing novel boron-based drug structures. These compounds incorporate targeted molecules that chelate with boron compounds, enabling high-efficiency cell membrane penetration. This approach ensures higher intracellular delivery, enhanced tumor specificity, precise targeting, and reduced systemic toxicity, thereby significantly boosting BNCT’s therapeutic effectiveness. Having completed preclinical animal studies, Btentech is now progressing toward clinical trials. The company has forged strategic partnerships with neutron source equipment manufacturers and aims to become a key player in the global BNCT market, driving the adoption of this advanced cancer treatment technology.

BNCT works by introducing boron-containing targeted drugs into the body, where they selectively accumulate in tumor cells. When irradiated with a neutron beam, the boron compounds release high-energy alpha particles with a range limited to approximately 10 microns—equivalent to the diameter of a cell. This ensures precise destruction of tumor cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue, resulting in minimal side effects.