Radiopharm Theranostics Ltd (ASX:RAD), which is busy growing its platform of radiopharmaceutical products, has added three cancer-combatting assets targeting the diagnosis and treatment of a range of solid tumours to its pipeline.
The company now owns the patents for three nanobodies targeting HER-2 (breast cancer), TROP-2 (triple-negative breast cancer, or TNBC) and PTK7 (multiple solid tumours). It acquired these from NanoMab Technology Ltd, to the tune of US$500,000 in fully paid ordinary shares in RAD.
This acquisition gives RAD unfettered global rights to partner or sub-license and secures a direct ownership chain to the patents.
Tumour-treating nanobodies
The nanobodies that form the basis of this technology are made using genetically engineered camelid-derived single domain antibodies that can be labelled with radioisotopes to diagnose and treat multiple tumour types.
Radiopharm Theranostics managing director Riccardo Canevari said RAD’s decision to acquire the IP for the three NanoMab assets was based on the recognised potential of nanobody technology in both diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
“Acquiring the IP for these assets supports RAD’s strategy to focus on innovation and will allow us to further accelerate clinical development of these multiple assets,” he said.
“We are excited to build on our existing portfolio of worldwide IP rights with these assets from Nanomab Technology Ltd.”
Study verified potential
Radiopharm has been using the nanobodies under a licence agreement with Nanomab Technology in its Phase 1 clinical trials and pre-clinical studies.
The company kicked off a Phase 1 study late last year investigating the safety, dosimetry and efficacy of the RAD201 asset, targeting HER-2 positive breast cancer subjects. This was completed in collaboration with partners at Shanghai General Hospital and NanoMab Technology.
The results thus far indicate the potential to use these nanobodies for the imaging and treatment of HER-2+ cancers with different medical radioisotopes.
Final candidate selection for TROP2 and PTK7 is underway and expected soon.