New Preclinical Study Demonstrates Feasibility of Microbubble-Mediated, Non-Thermal Focused Ultrasound for Brain Tumor Ablation

Salt Lake City, UT –Wednesday November, 5^th 2025— Researchers from the University of Utah and Microvascular Therapeutics (MVT) will be presenting new preclinical data demonstrating that focused ultrasound (FUS) using proprietary phase-shift microbubbles, NanoBlate (MVT-101), can selectively ablate brain tumors and open the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in targeted regions, potentially enabling safer, more precise, and non-invasive treatment for patients with malignant brain tumors at the  Society for Neuro-Oncology (SNO) in Honolulu, HI, November 19-23, 2025.

The study, titled “Preclinical Studies of Microbubble-Mediated Non-Thermal Focused Ultrasound for Intracranial Tumor Ablation,” will be presented by Dr. Randy L. Jensen, MD, PhD, Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Utah and the Huntsman Cancer Institute.

Co-authors include Evan Unger, MD (CEO), Emmanuelle Meuillet, PhD (COO/CSO), Joel Lusk, PhD and Holly Tadevich of Microvascular Therapeutics (MVT), which manufactured the phase-shift microbubble agent, NanoBlate, used in the study. MVT holds issued and pending patents covering this technology and applications in ultrasound-mediated ablation and drug delivery.

Study Overview

Using an MRI-guided preclinical focused ultrasound system, investigators delivered controlled acoustic energy to glioma-bearing rats following IV administration of NanoBlate. At well-defined acoustic pressures, the droplets underwent inertial cavitation, producing non-thermal ablation of tumor tissue without significant heating, while concurrently inducing localized BBB opening in the surrounding peritumoral region.

MRI and histologic evaluation performed at the University of Utah confirmed focal ablation, peripheral BBB opening, and potential for enhanced therapeutic delivery. Although survival improvement did not reach statistical significance in this small cohort (p=0.25), several treated animals demonstrated tumor regression and delayed progression, indicating a promising therapeutic effect.

The study was sponsored by a National Cancer Institute grant (NCI R43CA272149 and NIBIB R21EB033638).

Significance

“Non-thermal focused ultrasound mediated by nanobubbles may overcome many of the limitations of conventional thermal ablation,” said Dr. Jensen. “It allows precise, MRI-monitored targeting of tumor tissue without harmful heating of adjacent brain structures.”

Dr. Evan Unger, CEO of Microvascular Therapeutics, added: “We’re proud to contribute our proprietary nanobubble platform to this pioneering work. These results support the potential of NanoBlate for both non-thermal tumor ablation and localized drug delivery across the BBB — advancing our mission to transform ultrasound into a precision therapeutic tool for neuro-oncology.”

About Microvascular Therapeutics

Microvascular Therapeutics, INC (MVT) is a biotechnology company developing next-generation ultrasound contrast agents and nanobubble-based therapeutics for cardiovascular and neuro-oncologic applications. MVT’s portfolio includes investigational products, designed for diagnostic imaging, targeted drug delivery, and non-thermal ablation. The company holds multiple U.S. and international patents related to microbubble composition, activation, and therapeutic use.

Media Contact

Bryan Unger

Investor relations

b.unger@mvtpharma.com

Disclaimer

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding Microvascular Therapeutics’ investigational phase-shift microbubble technology, NanoBlate (MVT-101), including its potential applications in non-thermal focused ultrasound (FUS)–mediated tumor ablation and blood-brain barrier modulation. These statements reflect current expectations based on preclinical data and are subject to inherent scientific, regulatory, and developmental uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially due to factors such as the outcomes of future preclinical and clinical studies, regulatory feedback, manufacturing and scalability challenges, funding availability, and market adoption. NanoBlate (MVT-101) has not been approved for clinical use by any regulatory authority. Microvascular Therapeutics undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements, which speak only as of the date of this release.