A new investment is fueling the development of a handheld device that could one day allow doctors to destroy tumors without a single incision, using focused ultrasound waves to mechanically liquefy cancerous tissue. The Cancer Breakthrough Fund, created by the Terry Fox Foundation and Lumira Ventures, has announced its support for Sound Blade Medical, a Halifax based company pioneering this non-invasive approach known as histotripsy.
Unlike traditional treatments that rely on heat, radiation, or surgery, histotripsy uses targeted ultrasound pulses to mechanically break apart diseased cells with pinpoint accuracy. The company’s handheld device is designed to deliver this therapy without thermal damage, potentially reducing side effects and recovery time for patients. The investment marks the second made by the Cancer Breakthrough Fund since its launch in May 2026 and underscores a growing push to bring non-invasive options into more clinical settings.
“Histotripsy offers a fundamentally new approach to tumor destruction and cancer immunotherapy,” said Suman Rao, PhD, Principal at Lumira Ventures and representative of the fund. “Sound Blade’s handheld solution aims to bring this capability into more clinical settings, increasing accessibility for patients and usability for physicians.” The technology is still limited to investigational use and is not yet available for sale, but the company plans to accelerate development and move toward patient trials with the new funding.
Neil Barman, CEO of Sound Blade, called the investment “a strong validation of our technology and our vision to transform cancer and surgical care.” The company’s platform could eventually be applied across a wide range of solid tumors, offering a non-invasive alternative to surgery and radiation. The fund’s support also connects Sound Blade with a network of cancer researchers and clinical leaders, which Barman said will help speed the device toward testing in humans.
Michael Mazza, CEO of the Terry Fox Foundation, highlighted the broader significance of the investment. “The Cancer Breakthrough Fund’s commitment to Halifax based Sound Blade highlights the strength of the Canadian innovation ecosystem in advancing next-generation solutions for cancer patients,” he said. With backing from partners including the Canadian Cancer Society, the fund aims to accelerate transformative therapies that could improve outcomes and quality of life for people facing a cancer diagnosis.