On January 17, 2019 Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE AMERICAN: ATNM) reported that it has successfully completed the first module of its previously announced research and option agreement with Astellas Pharma Inc. Within the collaboration, the Company is using its Actinium Warhead Enabling (AWE) Platform to conjugate and label select Astellas targeting agents with the potent actinium-225 (Ac-225) payload (Press release, Actinium Pharmaceuticals, JAN 17, 2019, View Source [SID1234532701]).
Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:
Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing
Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!
"This collaboration represents Actinium and Astellas’ shared commitment to employ cutting-edge technology in the research of new drug candidates for patients. Therefore, we are delighted that Astellas has opted to progress our ground-breaking collaborative research activities to the next stage of research," said Dr. Dale Ludwig, Actinium’s Chief Scientific Officer. "I am very pleased with the results we have generated in our efforts with Astellas to date, which I believe showcase the capabilities of our AWE Platform Technology. My team and I are excited to execute the next module of the collaboration and are optimistic that we will continue to move the program forward."
Since launching its AWE Program in November 2017, Actinium has achieved a number of milestones including:
Appointed Dr. Dale Ludwig, a leading antibody therapeutics and antibody conjugate expert, as Chief Scientific Officer
Presented positive data at ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) 2017 demonstrating the superior in vitro cell killing properties of Ac-225 labeled daratumumab or Darzalex, Johnson & Johnson’s blockbuster CD38 targeting therapy for multiple myeloma
Presented additional positive data from in vivo animal studies at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) 2018 demonstrating enhanced tumor control and survival with Ac-225 labeled daratumumab
Signed collaborative research and option agreement with Astellas
Actinium’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Sandesh Seth added, "Actinium’s AWE technology platform encompasses not only our Ac-225 payload but also our intellectual property, know-how, clinical experience, and exoskeleton of a commercial supply chain that uniquely positions us in the industry. The strong execution of this collaboration thus far showcases Actinium’s expanded R&D capabilities that give us great excitement for what we can accomplish in the future with our team and technology. Combined with the continued clinical progress across our pipeline, particularly our pivotal Phase 3 trial for Iomab-B and expansion of our CD33 program into targeted conditioning and new disease indications, we are motivated to capitalize on the significant opportunities that lie ahead of us."
About Actinium Warhead Enabling Platform Technology
The Actinium Warhead Enabling (AWE) Program has at its centerpiece the AWE Platform Technology. The Company’s proprietary AWE Platform Technology is supported by intellectual property and know-how that enables the creation of Actinium-225 (Ac-225) Radio-Conjugates (ARCs) wherein a biomolecular targeting agent is stably labeled with the powerful Ac-225 payload to enhance targeted cell killing. The AWE Platform is protected by intellectual property covering the use of the "gold standard" chelator DOTA, and any conceivable derivative thereof. Additionally, Actinium holds intellectual property protection covering methods of chelation or labeling of the targeting agent with Ac-225, including newer next-generation methodologies for chelation of Ac-225.
The AWE Program is structured to provide the opportunity for partners or collaborators to derive maximum value from a collaboration by leveraging Actinium’s extensive technical know-how, access to its ARC drug development infrastructure and to its underlying AWE Platform Technology. The AWE Program provides a partner or collaborator with access to Actinium’s knowledge bank and infrastructure allowing collaborators to benefit from accelerated development timelines for its ARCs.
To learn more about the AWE Technology Platform or the AWE Program please contact Eileen Geoghegan, Ph.D., at [email protected].