Radiopharm Theranostics Ltd (ASX:RAD) has signed a deal with the Bill Gates-founded nuclear innovation company TerraPower to collaborate on Actinium-225, which gives RAD access to a rare medical isotope for clinical trials in areas of high unmet medical need.
“There is tremendous growth projected for radiopharmaceutical therapies over the next five to 10 years, when you can combine the right molecule with the right isotope in areas of high unmet medical need,” said RAD CEO Riccardo Canevari.
“Access to high quality Actinium-225 allows us to accelerate the clinical development of our broad pipeline.”
The company hopes the partnership will help advance the next generation of radiopharmaceutical therapies for cancer treatment.
“We are privileged to be a part of this journey as we work with TerraPower to transform outcomes for patients suffering for oncological diseases,” Canevari said.
Supply of Actinium-225
Actinium-225 is an alpha-emitting radionuclide with significant promise in effectively treating cancer patients. It can be attached to a targeting molecule, which will then selectively target and destroy cancerous tissue.
TerraPower’s subsidiary, TerraPower Isotopes, LLC, will supply Actinium-225 to Radiopharm Theranostics for use in drug trials involving targeted alpha therapy in multiple disease areas.
Since 2018, TerraPower has been working to increase the supply of Actinium-225 from Thorium-229 decay, which is derived from Uranium-233 and managed by the US Department of Energy.
“Our collaboration with Radiopharm Theranostics aligns with our vision to provide broad industry access to Actinium-225, enabling partners to develop much-needed radiopharmaceuticals,” TerraPower Isotopes president Scott Claunch said.
About TerraPower
TerraPower was founded by philanthropist Bill Gates and other likeminded individuals with ambitious objectives in mind. These include improving the world through nuclear energy and science and bringing together the public and private sectors 'to answer pressing global needs'.
The company bills itself as an incubator and developer of technologies that offer energy independence, environmental sustainability and medical advancement.
About Radiopharm Theranostics
RAD is a clinical-stage radiotherapeutics company developing a world-class platform of innovative radiopharmaceutical products for diagnostic and therapeutic applications in areas of high unmet medical need.
The company listed late last year and boasts a pipeline of four distinct and highly differentiated platform technologies spanning peptides, small molecules and monoclonal antibodies for use in cancer.
The clinical program includes five Phase 2 and two Phase 1 trials in a variety of solid tumor cancers including breast, kidney and brain, with a total of 156 patients dosed to date.