Nordic Life Science 1
“Langer’s invention of bioplastics has opened up
a new approach to fighting some of the most aggressive cancers,” said EPO President Benoît Battistelli. “Anti-cancer drugs can be targeted towards tumors for maximum effect without damaging healthy tissue, and the applications are equally impressive in heart surgery and reconstructive medicine.” Langer’s patented invention is the result of decades of dedicated research, describes the EPO. Already in 1971, Langer and fellow physicians at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology envisioned a delivery vector that would transport the drugs right where they are needed: the site of the tumor. At first, the scientific community met Langer’s bold vision with skepticism. But the scientist stayed the course. He spent almost 28 years perfecting the implantable bioplastics technology after publishing his initial findings. In the first two years alone, he experimented with over 200 polymer variations. “My advice to young people is to dream big dreams and don’t give up on those dreams,” said Langer after the announcement of the European Inventor Award. “Do things that you love doing and also recognize that conventional wisdom is not always correct.” 84 NORDICLIFESCIENCE.ORG