Wednesday, November 4, 2026Updated every morning at 5:30 AM ET
NanotechProgress

Hafnium oxide nanoparticles for radiotherapy (NBTXR3)

NBTXR3 is a liquid of hafnium oxide nanoparticles injected once into a tumor before radiotherapy. When the radiation hits, the particles boost its tumor-killing effect inside the tumor.

Nanobiotix, 24 Sept 2026
Radiotherapy booster · how far it has got4/5Approved or on sale

How far from your life: You can get it now, though it may not be common yet.

Company-reported

From lab to your life

Why it’s on step 4

  1. 1Lab discovery
  2. 2Working prototype
  3. 3Real-world testing
  4. 4Approved or on sale
  5. 5Everyday life

The rule

A regulator approved or cleared it where approval applies (the FDA, the EMA, a CE mark), or it is sold to the public or to customers beyond a trial.

The short version

What you need to know

Why it matters

Nanobiotix says the particles magnify the X-ray dose inside the tumor while the dose passing through healthy tissue stays the same.

Nanobiotix via BioSpace, 4 Apr 2019
Is it really nano?

Truly nano

The nanoparticles are the treatment: crystals of hafnium oxide that react to the radiation inside the tumor.

Nanobiotix via BioSpace, 4 Apr 2019
Where you’ll find it

In clinical trials, including a global phase 3 trial in head and neck cancer now run by Johnson & Johnson.

Nanobiotix, 24 Sept 2026
Who’s behind it

Nanobiotix, licensed to Johnson & Johnson in 2023

On the record

Every step, dated

Newest first. Company-reported means the only source so far is the company itself.

  1. Human trialCompany-reported

    Nanobiotix reported that the FDA had cleared changes to the Johnson & Johnson-led phase 3 trial in head and neck cancer, NANORAY-312, so that its final analysis can come sooner.

    Nanobiotix, 24 Sept 2026
  2. Funding or dealCompany-reported

    Nanobiotix licensed NBTXR3 to Janssen, a Johnson & Johnson company, for development and sale worldwide.

    Nanobiotix, 24 Sept 2026
  3. ApprovalCompany-reported

    Nanobiotix said its product, sold under the name Hensify, won a CE mark in Europe for locally advanced soft tissue sarcoma.

    Nanobiotix via BioSpace, 4 Apr 2019

Who makes it

The companies

  • NBTXNasdaqNanobiotixPure play

    Develops NBTXR3, hafnium oxide nanoparticles injected into tumors to boost radiotherapy, now licensed to Johnson & Johnson.

    We track:NBTXR3

  • JNJNYSEJohnson & Johnson

    Leads the global phase 3 trial of NBTXR3, the radiotherapy-boosting nanoparticles it licensed from Nanobiotix.

    We track:NBTXR3