AdvanCell delivers 212Pb-ADVC001, a development stage Targeted Alpha Therapy for Prostate Cancer to the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
September 7, 2023 – SYDNEY AND MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – AdvanCell, a radiopharmaceutical company developing a pipeline of Targeted Alpha Therapies (TATs) for cancer patients, today announced the successful delivery of Lead-212 (212Pb) labelled ADVC001 (212Pb-ADVC001) to the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre for prostate cancer research. The delivery of 212Pb-ADVC001 from AdvanCell’s Brisbane facility to Melbourne demonstrates AdvanCell’s ability to manufacture and deliver short-lived therapeutic candidates across Australia and is the first of a broad series of collaborations with the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.
“AdvanCell is honoured to collaborate with the experienced clinicians and scientists at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, which has been at the forefront of radionuclide therapy and prostate cancer treatment globally,” said Andrew Adamovich, CEO of AdvanCell. “This is the first time a 212Pb labelled cancer drug candidate has been distributed to a clinical site remote from its manufacture.
Targeted Alpha Therapies demonstrate impressive clinical efficacy due to their high linear energy transfer (LET), which leads to multiple cytotoxic effects, including breakage of double-stranded DNA. Isotope supply is constrained, however, thus presenting logistical challenges that impede clinical development and commercialisation. This shipment is the first of a number of formative steps to bring these Targeted Alpha Therapies to more patients than currently possible.
212Pb-ADVC001 combines 212Pb, an ideal isotope for targeted alpha therapy, with ADVC001, AdvanCell’s proprietary PSMA targeting peptide. 212Pb-ADVC001 has the potential to become a best-in-class treatment for metastatic prostate cancer by combining the powerful radiation dose delivered by an alpha-emitting isotope, the specific targeting of AdvanCell’s ligand, and the 10.6-hour half-life of 212Pb to minimize potential side effects and engage the immune system.
Radiopharmaceuticals comprise radioactive isotopes chelated to targeting molecules. Production and distribution require just-in-time manufacturing, specialised logistics, and coordination between the manufacturer, courier, hospital/research site, regulators, and patients.
This shipment supports the US-based Prostate Cancer Foundation’s TACTICAL Award program announced in December 2022, which brings together a multidisciplinary, international team in Melbourne (Australia), Essen (Germany), San Francisco and Los Angeles (United States) to explore 212Pb-based prostate cancer research.
Professor Michael Hofman, lead investigator and director of the Prostate Cancer Theranostics and Imaging Centre of Excellence (ProsTIC) at Peter Mac, said: “Theranostics – the combination of a targeted therapeutic and a diagnostic companion – is a rapidly developing form of personalised medicine that is proving highly successful in treating patients with prostate cancer. Despite this major advance, resistance to treatment limits the durability of responses. We have identified Pb-212 as having ideal physical characteristics to unlock the full potential of theranostics.”
As part of the TACTICAL award, AdvanCell will provide 212Pb and its proprietary generator technology, enabling onsite production of the isotope for preclinical research and future clinical trials.
About 212Pb-ADVC001
212Pb-ADVC001 was designed to bind to PSMA, a clinically validated cell surface target highly expressed in prostate cancer. The proprietary drug candidate has been optimised for safety and efficacy and has demonstrated potential best-in-class preclinical data.
About AdvanCell
AdvanCell is a radiopharmaceutical company developing an innovative pipeline of 212Pb-based Targeted Alpha Therapies for cancer patients. AdvanCell’s platform technology addresses the most significant challenge in targeted alpha therapy – the reliable and scalable supply of isotope. AdvanCell’s novel drug discovery, preclinical processes, and state-of-the-art facilities leverage daily access to 212Pb, the ideal isotope for Targeted Alpha Therapy. For more information, please visit dev.advancell.com.au
About Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre is a world-leading cancer research, education and treatment centre and Australia’s only public health service dedicated to caring for people affected by cancer. It has 3,900 employees, including more than 750 laboratory and clinical researchers, all focused on providing better treatments, better care and potential cures for cancer.
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