Immunophotonics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, is advancing interventional immuno-oncology with a novel technology designed to treat many kinds of cancer.

“Interventional immuno-oncology, in its simplest form, is the convergence of tumor destruction with immune stimulation to attack the cancer. And we’re spearheading this new field through the development of our lead asset, IP-001,” said Lu Alleruzzo, CEO & Co-Founder of Immunophotonics.

The company describes IP-OO1 as a one of a kind immune-stimulating drug. The proprietary carbohydrate polymer acts both as an antigen depot and a potent immune activator capable of stimulating immunological responses against cancer.

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Teacher Resources for the Video:

NGSS Disciplines Addressed in Standards Referenced Below:
• Engineering, Technology, and Applications of Science

Discussion Questions:
• After viewing the video, have students discuss the approach and techniques being used by the innovators. What do they understand? What is unclear? How successful do they think the approach could be?
• At the 03:35 mark, Mr. Alleruzo describes the serendipitous events that enabled them to develop this innovative approach. What is student reaction to the “serendipity” that made the advancement possible? What does this say about the inquiry process and the practices scientists use as they research, study, and develop new products?

Activity Ideas:
• Provide the video to students doing group or independent projects related to cancer. What information, quotations, and video excerpts could be used in their project?
• Use the video in a flipped learning activity and have students come to class prepared to share two insights gained by watching the video and two questions they’d like answered through their own or class research.
• Use the video as part of an “Invented by Accident/Discovered by Accident” activity focused on the importance of serendipity and happenstance in the scientific process.

Vocabulary to Consider:
• Carbohydrate Polymer
• Interventional Immuno-oncology
• Serendipity
• Tumor Ablation

Resources for Additional Research:
• Learn more about the Immunophotonics and their work at https://immunophotonics.com/.
• Learn more about the NGSS Science and Engineering Practices at the NSTA website.

Unique ID for the Video: IinAction-27
• Use the unique ID as a shortcut for students to find this specific video. Click on Search and choose “By Video ID.” Type in the Video ID as it appears above.

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