Using Light to Activate Cancer Drugs
- Jul 29
- 1 min read
What if the next breakthrough in oncology isn't creating a new drug— but finding a new way to deliver ones we already have?
Chapel Hill, NC, July 29, 2026
What if the next breakthrough in oncology isn't creating a new drug— but finding a new way to deliver ones we already have?
Dr. Brianna Vickerman and her UNC-Chapel Hill team are developing a light-activated drug-delivery platform that changes how existing cancer medicines are administered rather than creating entirely new drugs. The system is designed to keep potent therapies inactive as they circulate through the body, then activate them at the tumor site with light, potentially reducing damage to healthy tissue and limiting harmful side effects.
The broader goal is to improve cancer treatment by making powerful drugs more precise, safer, and more effective. Vickerman’s work is supported by NC Innovation funding and may help advance light-controlled drug delivery toward future clinical applications.
ABOUT COVALT BIO
Covalt Bio is a biotechnology company developing innovative drug delivery technologies that improve patient outcomes by maximizing efficacy and minimizing side effects. Through its proprietary light-activated platform, the company aims to enable safer, more targeted therapies across a broad range of diseases.
Media Contact
Logan Zwerneman, PhD