Treatment made from the patient,
for the patient.
We believe a patient’s own tumor cells can teach the immune system to recognize cancer. PhotonPharma was founded to pursue that belief with rigorous science, deep humility, and a platform built on decades of proven photochemical research.
Innocell™ is an investigational autologous cellular immunotherapy. It has not been approved by the FDA for any use.
Solid tumor cancers deserve a better answer.
Many cancers that begin in solid tissues remain difficult to treat with existing therapies. Ovarian cancer, our first indication, is diagnosed late and recurs often. We founded PhotonPharma because we believe the immune system — properly informed — is one of the most powerful tools medicine has.
Our approach starts with the patient’s own tumor cells. We use a photochemical process — riboflavin and ultraviolet light — to inactivate those cells so they cannot replicate, while preserving the surface proteins and antigens the immune system needs to learn from. The goal is to help the body recognize and respond to cancer on its own terms.
~19,880 new cases and ~12,810 deaths annually — five-year survival rate of 49.7%.
Source: National Cancer Institute SEER Program. Figures are approximate and represent the population context motivating this research.
A technology with deep roots in blood safety.
The photochemical inactivation technology at the core of Innocell™ was not invented for oncology. It was developed over decades to make blood transfusions safer — and it is used globally today. We believe that heritage of rigor and real-world validation matters when building something new.
Riboflavin + UV Light
Innocell™ uses riboflavin (vitamin B2) and ultraviolet light to inactivate a patient’s own tumor cells. The process is designed to prevent replication while preserving the surface proteins and antigens the immune system can learn from. Innocell™ is investigational and has not been approved by the FDA for any use.
Pathogen-Reduction Technology
The underlying platform was originally developed for pathogen reduction in blood products. That technology is now used in blood centers around the world — and we believe this foundation of real-world validation is meaningful as we advance into oncology.
Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies
In 2021, PhotonPharma and Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies announced a collaboration to develop a novel cancer immunotherapy. Terumo’s expertise in cell processing and apheresis technology complements our photochemical platform.
Phase 1 Trial — Ovarian Cancer
A Phase 1 clinical trial of Innocell™ is recruiting patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer to assess safety and immunogenicity. We are not characterizing results or enrollment counts at this stage.
Decades of research. One clear purpose.
PhotonPharma was founded by scientists who spent careers making blood safer. That same discipline — careful, evidence-driven, patient-centered — now guides our work in oncology.
Raymond Goodrich, Ph.D.
Co-Founder & Chief Executive OfficerDr. Goodrich brings 37 years of experience across medical research, vaccine production, and pathogen-reduction technologies. His foundational work on photochemical inactivation of pathogens in blood products underpins the Innocell™ platform. He co-founded PhotonPharma to extend that science into oncology — starting with cancers where patients need more options.