Point Biopharma, AdvanCell partner to develop radioligands

POINT Biopharma and AdvanCell announced a collaboration on the development of a global 212Pb radioisotope and radioligand supply chain and drug manufacturing network to specifically support the clinical development and commercialization of 212Pb-labeled radioligands by each company. 212Pb is differentiated as both an alpha and beta-emitting isotope with a simple decay chain that has demonstrated promising clinical results in compassionate use and phase 1 settings. 212Pb is produced via a generator using thorium or radium sources. 228Th is available in significant quantities and has a half-life that supports 212Pb generators with ~1 year shelf-lives stationed at a selected number of regional locations globally. The short half-life of 212Pb as the benefit of delivering greater than99% of the tumor cell-killing radiation in only 72 hours, which reduces the time that the ligand needs to be retained in the tumor, a common limitation for targeted radioligand therapies. The short half-life may also promote the earlier maintenance of functional immune cells infiltrating the tumor relative to longer-lived isotopes. In contrast, only ~20% of the decays from 225Ac occur in 72 hours, so prolonged tumor retention is required to achieve the same payload delivery