Cancer fighting biotech Radiopharm Theranostics has gained a regular supply of a rare medical isotope known as “actinium-225” from a Bill Gates start-up to accelerate the development of its pipeline of cancer treatment therapies.
The company says actinium-225 is a radioactive isotope that can be attached to a targeting antibody, which will then selectively target and destroy cancerous tissues.
Importantly, the technology can potentially be used across the full gamut of cancers.
Radiopharm is developing four distinct and highly differentiated “radiopharmaceutical platform technologies” in areas of high unmet medical need. According to the company radiopharmaceuticals are safe, radioactive drugs that can be used as diagnostic or therapeutic tools where patients are injected with a very small amount of safe radioactive medication.
In theory, the isotope is attached to an antibody and once injected, the antibody acts like a homing device to the cancerous cell. Once it attaches itself to the target, the isotope then destroys the cancerous cell.
The technologies span peptides, small molecules and monoclonal antibodies for use in cancer treatments and are in pre-clinical and clinical stages of development from some of the world’s leading universities and institutes.
However, according to the company, one of the biggest hurdles to research is having a consistent supply of the rare isotope which will now come from TerraPower Isotopes.
Radiopharm believes it’s agreement with TerraPower is a game-changer for its research. The US-based outfit is a leading nuclear innovation company founded by a cohort of visionaries that include Bill Gates.
Since 2018, TerraPower has been working to increase the supply of actinium-225 that is derived from uranium managed by the U.S. Department of Energy.
The deal is for three years and may be extended for a further two one-year periods.
Radiopharm Theranostics CEO, Riccardo Canevari said: “There is tremendous growth projected for radiopharmaceutical therapies over the next 5-10 years, when you can combine the right molecule with the right isotope in areas of high unmet medical needs.”
“We are privileged to be a part of this journey as we work with TerraPower to transform outcomes for patients suffering for oncological diseases.”
Radiopharm currently has a clinical program that includes five Phase 2 and two Phase 1 trials in a variety of solid tumour cancers including breast, kidney and brain, with a total of 156 patients dosed to date.
It recently took full ownership for the intellectual property rights of three cancer-fighting nanobodies that target a range of solid tumours including breast cancer. Radiopharm had held the licence to use the assets in its studies, however following the purchase, it now has exclusive world-wide use of the technology that is used in the diagnosis and treatment of a range of cancers.
The $38 million market capped Radiopharm is one of many biotechnologies to be brought to market by its Executive Chairman Paul Hopper.
Hopper’s resume includes the founding of clinical stage immuno-oncology company Imugene that has a market capitalisation of approximately $2 billion. He also founded ASX-listed Chimeric Therapeutics and holds boardroom positions at Prescient, Polynoma and Arovella Therapeutics.
The development of cancer beating treatments can be a transformative one and by securing such an important supply agreement, Radiopharm’s research has the capacity to remain at the tip of the life-saving spear.
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By Matt Birney
