HARTFORD–U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) announced on Friday that Encapsulate, a Farmington-based medtech company founded by two UConn graduates, was named “Innovator of the Month” for their development of a transformative contribution to cancer treatment. The company’s patented tumor-on-a-chip technology helps doctors more accurately predict how a tumor may react to different treatments by enabling users to assess tumor behavior in a microenvironment that mimics the human body. This information allows oncologists to better determine the most effective therapy to treat each patient’s cancer. The technology was developed while the founders were still PhD students at UConn and remains headquartered in UConn’s Technology Incubator Program facility.
“We all know how devastating a cancer diagnosis can be. By helping doctors identify the right treatment faster and with more accuracy, the team at Encapsulate is doing important work to help more people receive lifesaving personalized care. Their innovative approach is a testament to the talent and cutting-edge research coming out of UConn, and I look forward to seeing their continued growth in the state,” said Murphy.
“We are thrilled to be named Innovator of the Month by Senator Murphy,” said Armin Tahmasbi Rad, CEO and co-founder of Encapsulate. “Our mission has always been to transform groundbreaking research into life-saving solutions. Choosing Connecticut as our home base has been pivotal. The unwavering support from the people, clinicians, academic community, and the vibrant Connecticut entrepreneurial ecosystem has been crucial in our journey to bring this technology from the lab to the clinic.”
Encapsulate’s cutting-edge technology is predicted to revolutionize cancer treatment by delivering precise, personalized assessments of how various therapies will affect individual tumors. This breakthrough not only boosts the effectiveness of treatment plans but also slashes the time and cost associated with cancer care, offering a new horizon of hope for patients everywhere.
In a pioneering collaboration with NASA and the International Space Station, Encapsulate sent patient colon cancer tumor samples to space for the first time. By studying their responses to various treatments under microgravity while maintaining full automated control from Earth, they have unlocked new insights that enhance treatment efficacy and reduce both time and costs associated with cancer care. According to the ISS National Lab, this study holds significant potential for enhancing the effectiveness of cancer therapies, reducing treatment time, and cutting costs. The data collected from space could revolutionize how we approach cancer care, offering new horizons of hope for patients worldwide.
Murphy believes entrepreneurship and innovation are the building blocks for a strong economy. In the U.S. Senate, he has introduced legislation to incentivize angel investors to put more money into startup companies—the Angel Tax Credit Act and the Helping Angels Lead Our Startups (HALOS) Act. Startup companies create an average of 2 million jobs each year.
