Radiopharm Theranostics Ltd (ASX:RAD, OTC:RDPTF) has had a seminal study featured in the prestigious, peer-reviewed Royal Society of Chemistry Medicinal Chemistry journal, outlining the molecular efficiency of 68Ga-Trivehexin (RAD 301) in pancreatic cancer imaging.
The study, led by Johannes Notni and associates from the Technical University of Munich and TRIMT GmbH, titled, 'Complexity of αvβ6-integrin targeting RGD peptide trimers: emergence of nonspecific binding by synergistic interaction', delves into the development of cancer-targeting molecules, with a specific focus on the amino acid structure of 68Ga-Trivehexin (RAD 301) for tumour imaging.
What's more, the article has been selected as the cover story for the December issue of the journal.
"Compelling evidence"
Radiopharm scientific advisory board member and co-inventor of the 68Ga-Trivehexin technology Dr. Johannes Notni said: "The optimization of the Trivehexin drug structure described in this article ultimately paved the way for a broad clinical application of 68Ga-Trivehexin in PET diagnostics.
"Our preclinical data on pharmacokinetics and PET image quality are compelling evidence for the potential of 68Ga-Trivehexin to make a difference in the diagnosis and ultimately the treatment of cancer and fibrotic diseases.”
About RAD 301
RAD 301, a peptide-based molecule, targets αvβ6-integrin, a significant marker in tumour invasion and metastatic growth, particularly in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and Head-and-Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC).
The study underscores RAD 301's high affinity and selectivity for αvβ6-integrin and its minimal non-specific (off-target) binding, presenting a breakthrough in the realm of diagnostic imaging.
The research offers invaluable insights into the technology's potential in advancing diagnostic imaging, particularly in detecting and analysing pancreatic cancer.
Phase 1 trials
Currently, 68Ga-Trivehexin is in Phase 1 trials as a PET imaging agent at the Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, NY, USA.
This phase focuses on evaluating the safety, radiation dosimetry, and imaging characteristics of RAD 301 in patients with advanced PDAC.
The findings represent a critical step in the original discovery of Trivehexin, which has demonstrated promising first-in-human PET imaging results due to its low non-specific uptake and targeted efficacy.
In a significant development, the FDA granted Radiopharm an Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) for RAD 301 in pancreatic cancer in May 2023, recognising its potential impact in treating this challenging disease.