A MALVERN company will shortly begin trials of a new system of delivering cancer drugs that could reduce some of the unpleasant side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

pSiMedica, based at the Malvern Hills Science Park, says it has raised a further £3 million from investors, including QinetiQ Ventures, to hold development trials.

The company is working through its subsidiary, pSiOncology Pte Ltd, and its partner Singapore General Hospital. The trials will be based around the treatment of liver cancer.

The trials are expected to begin in the first half of next year in Singapore and pSiMedica executive chairman Dr Roger Brimblecombe said the company hoped to bring a new product to the market by 2006.

pSiMedica has developed a form of silicon which can safely dissolve in the body. It is looking to deliver anti-cancer drugs directly to the liver in this form and limit the exposure of non-infected areas to the drug and its effects.

The trials are being held in Singapore because it has a high incidence of liver cancer, but also because of the quality of its medical facilities.

One of the reasons why the pSiMedica system can be brought very quickly to market is that it is using already-recognised drugs - what is new is the method of delivery.

The company is also examining other medical uses for the technology, first developed as part of research at the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) in Malvern, now QinetiQ.