SCK CEN and Navigo Proteins want to bring radioligand therapy to patients faster
Complementary expertise significantly reduces development time
Nuclear research centre SCK CEN and German biotech company Navigo Proteins are joining forces. Their unique, combined expertise in carrier molecules and radioisotopes will enhance the development of radioligand therapy. This brings us closer to improving quality of life for cancer patients.
Radioligand therapy utilises a specifically engineered molecule that directly navigates to tumours and also immediately to potential metastases. It transports a radioisotope during its path to the target. The radioisotope delivers precise and localised irradiation to the cancer cells. The cells are damaged, causing them to die off and the tumour itself eventually shrinks. "This is precision medicine in action." As Koen Hasaers, Director of Nuclear Medical Applications, explains, "For patients, this translates to fewer side effects and a better quality of life." Radioligand therapy, utilising the radioisotope lutetium-177, is currently used to treat metastatic prostate cancer and neuroendocrine tumours that originate in the digestive system, such as the stomach, pancreas and intestines. That said, a lot of research and development remains to be done before radioligand therapy can be used for other cancer types.
Carrier molecules from German biotech company Navigo Proteins are already being investigated for suitability. It's an opportune moment for their molecules to move into the next phase of development. The nuclear research centre SCK CEN will handle that. Koen Hasaers notes, "In that phase, we couple the carrier molecules with terbium-161." This radioisotope is seen as one of the future's key therapeutic radioisotopes. "We then proceed to test those radiopharmaceuticals in preclinical studies. This process allows us to evaluate whether those molecules successfully deliver the radioisotope to the tumour and to assess their effectiveness." Thus, numerous undisclosed carrier molecules will be put under scrutiny. Our objective is to identify a suitable candidate carrier molecule within two to three years and provide all the required data to facilitate clinical trials.
Saving valuable development time
The nuclear research centre SCK CEN is confident that this strategic cooperation will yield valuable development time savings for both partners. “Navigo Proteins and SCK CEN each have extensive experience in key components of radiopharmaceuticals. Navigo has developed carrier molecules, while SCK CEN provides terbium-161, infrastructure, and expertise in preclinical testing. Combining these complementary strengths saves valuable development time", explains Koen Hasaers.
Dr Ulrich Haupts, Managing Director and CSO at Navigo Proteins, shares the same enthusiasm for the strategic partnership. "This collaboration provides us with access to the promising radioisotope terbium-161. Our combined expertise, along with SCK CEN’s pioneering work, creates a unique opportunity to deliver significant advances in cancer treatment.”
Main components of radiopharmaceuticals
Radiopharmaceuticals have three main components. The first is the radioisotope, which delivers the radiation necessary for treatment. The second is a specially engineered carrier molecule which directs the radioisotope to the cancer cells. The third is the chelator, which securely binds the radioisotope to the carrier, ensuring stability throughout the process.
Terbium-161: higher therapeutic effect
Targeted cancer treatments using Terbium-161 are expected to have a higher therapeutic effect. This is because of its special properties: Terbium-161 has the property that when the radioisotope decays, it immediately emits an average of two low-energy Auger electrons per beta particle. Once emitted, these electrons, like alpha particles, do not travel far. This means a higher dose can accumulate – very locally near the cancer cell – with each injection. In theory, a higher local dose translates into a higher therapeutic effect, sparing healthy tissue in the process.
The available production of terbium-161 is mainly provided by the Dutch company TerThera and the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK CEN. TerThera has uninterrupted access to the raw material gadolinium-160, while SCK CEN has developed an in-house separation technique to isolate pure terbium-161. After purification, TerThera supplies the radioisotope to the next player in the production chain, which combines it with a carrier molecule and processes them into radiopharmaceuticals.
