Radiopharm locks in supply deal for cancer therapy

Cancer fighter Radiopharm Theranostics has inked a deal with an Israeli company that secures supply of a key component needed to develop its suite of radiopharmaceutical products.

The Melbourne-based biotechnology company says its agreement with Isotopia Molecular Imaging will enable the acceleration of its diverse clinical pipeline of radiopharmaceutical products.

Under the agreement, Isotopia will supply a high-quality radioisotope called Lutetium-177 for clinical research, development, manufacture and early-stage commercialisation of Radiopharm’s diagnostic and therapeutics products.

Isotopes or radionuclides are radioactive atoms used for diagnosing and treating cancer by attaching them to molecules.

Radiopharm CEO and Managing Director, Riccardo Canevari, said: “Having access to this high-purity isotope will allow us to accelerate the development of our clinical pipeline and to start clinical trials with this high-quality isotope when we need to and without any further delay.”

Radiopharm has a pipeline of distinct platform technologies in pre-clinical and clinical stages of development from some of the world’s leading universities and institutes. The studies are currently spanning peptides, small molecules and monoclonal antibodies for use in cancer treatment.

So far, more than 150 patients have been treated in several of the company’s clinical trials.

Isotopia was established in 2006 by Israeli scientists and radiopharmaceutical experts. Lutetium-177 isotope is its flagship product and Radiopharm says it has shown significant promise in treating various late-stage cancers.

Radiopharmaceutical therapies are creating a lot of interest in the health sector because of their potential in fighting cancer. Some predict the process will provide a new frontier in the oncology industry that Radiopharm suggests could be worth $290 billion by 2025.

For killing tumours, the so-called “alpha isotopes” and “beta isotopes” — isotopes emitting alpha particles and beta particles respectively — are required.

Lutetium-177 is a beta isotope.

Radiopharm penned a deal for its supply of alpha isotopes with an American company earlier this year.

Canevari says the alpha isotope is preferred for some cancer treatments, because it's more potent and also more appropriate for some smaller tumours whilst beta’s potency is lower, however it is the right isotope for some larger tumour types.

Isotopes have a short lifespan so reliability of supply, in addition to consistence of quality, are critical.

“We need a company able to deliver high-quality isotopes at the right time,” Canevari says.

He estimates about half Radiopharm’s clincial pipeline of assets requires alpha isotopes and half beta isotopes.

Both types have been difficult to source because demand is currently outstripping supply.

With tremendous growth projected for radiopharmaceutical therapies in years to come, securing supplies of high-quality components to meet demand will be a necessity for players such as Radiopharm to remain at the tip of the spear.

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