Radiopharm Theranostics Ltd (ASX:RAD) has agreed commercial terms for services in a signed Letter of Intent (LOI) with global oncology provider GenesisCare, a critical factor in helping Radiopharm begin its Phase 1 trial in Australia.
RAD is developing a world-class platform of radiopharmaceutical products for both diagnostic and therapeutic uses.
The phase 1 therapeutic trial will involve Radiopharm’s proprietary nanobody from its Nano-mAbs platform, which targets the PDL1 expression in non-small cell lung cancer, the most common type of lung cancer.
This treatment has the potential to be the 'first in class' radiopharmaceutical therapy targeting PDL1.
“We are proud to have entered an LOI with GenesisCare, Australia’s largest provider of integrated cancer care, to support a trial for our innovative radiopharmaceutical therapy targeting non-small cell lung cancer, pending ethics approval from Australian authorities,” Radiopharm’s CEO & managing director Riccardo Canevari said.
“This is currently an area of high unmet need, and we are hopeful of bringing a first in class treatment to the market that will greatly improve patient outcomes.
“The phase 1 trial is an important milestone on the path to making this a reality.”
Hope for cancer patients
GenesisCare is a leading provider of integrated oncology care globally, with more than 440 locations in Australia, UK, USA and Spain. Its global innovation programs aim to bring novel therapies and precision medicine to more cancer patients in need to achieve the best possible life outcomes.
GenesisCare senior vice president of Research and Insights Kris Barooshian said, “GenesisCare’s Contract Research Organisation and Site Research Organisation are delighted to be partnering with Radiopharm Theranostics on this clinical trial that may bring hope to thousands of Australians living with non-small cell lung cancer.”
That company's nuclear medicine physician and group clinical director of Theranostics, Professor Nat Lenzo, said, “To date, radiopharmaceutical treatments have predominantly been utilised in the treatment of prostate cancer and neuroendocrine tumours, so it is exciting to be expanding the nuclear medicine treatment paradigm to new therapeutic areas.”
The LOI is not a binding agreement, however, work has already started under the LOI and a corresponding services agreement is also being negotiated.
The term of the initial project is anticipated to be 18 months. The overall cost of the services under the LOI is not considered material and is included in existing budgets and funding.
Under the LOI, Radiopharm will deploy its novel radiopharmaceutical (RAD204) targeting PDL/1-positive lung cancer in patients at Australian clinical research centres secured by GenesisCare.
It is likely that this will be the first-ever human clinical trial exposure to this Radiopharm compound and, if successful, will set the stage for expanded development in lung cancer patients whose cancer is sensitive to treatment with this type of immunotherapy.