Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: Nanostart-Held Lumiphore Signs Cooperation Agreement with Oncology Company

Home > Press > Nanostart-Held Lumiphore Signs Cooperation Agreement with Oncology Company

Abstract:
Lumiphore Inc., a portfolio company of Nanostart AG, has signed a global cooperation with Algeta ASA, a company specializing in radiopharmaceutical therapies to treat cancer patients.

Nanostart-Held Lumiphore Signs Cooperation Agreement with Oncology Company

Frankfurt | Posted on October 31st, 2010

The agreement enables the integration of Lumiphore's Lumi4 complexes into the targeted radiotherapeutics and companion diagnostics from Algeta, according to the Company.
The highly targeted form of radiotherapy works by using a new class of radiation-emitting pharmaceuticals, called "alpha-pharmaceuticals". These act through molecular binding to cancer cells, where they can then emit alpha particles in precisely the right location to treat the tumor.

The Company said the agreement provides Algeta with an option to the exclusive rights to incorporate the Lumi4 isophthalamide chelation technology from Lumiphore into these targeted radiopharmaceutical therapeutics for cancer.

The Lumi4 complex functions by binding to a radioactive metal ion, which is the radiation source that emits the alpha particles which in turn destroy the tumor. At the same time, another portion of the complex binds to the pharmaceutical substance which is required to identify the tumor cells.

Under the terms of the agreement, Algeta obtains an exclusive 12-month option to an exclusive license for the use of Lumiphore's Lumi4 chelator technology within the field of therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals. The license will also give Algeta the right to use this technology in companion diagnostics, which are radiopharmaceuticals for determining either the suitability of patients for treatment and/or the effectiveness of treatment. Algeta will pay Lumiphore a fee on signing the option agreement and will make further payments should it exercise the option and take up the license.

"Lumiphore's goal is to bring the benefits of bifunctional metal-chelation technology to therapeutic markets that use targeted radiopharmaceuticals to treat cancer. The ability to chelate radioactive metal isotopes and covalently attach them to therapeutic antibodies, peptides, proteins, or other receptor targeting molecules will benefit targeted delivery to cancer sites and has the potential to make current therapeutic antibodies more effective," said Dr. Ken Raymond, President and CEO of Lumiphore.

"Using Lumi4 bifunctional chelates could create a new class of radioimmunotherapeutics," explained Thomas Ramdahl, Chief Technology Officer of Algeta. "By linking thorium-227 to selected tumor targeting antibodies using existing non-proprietary chelates, Algeta has already demonstrated in vivo the potential of its proprietary technology for enhancing the performance of radio-immunotherapies based on existing clinical antibodies. We believe that the new chelators will provide even better results."

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