Radiomedix and Viewpoint MT Receive Phase I SBIR Funding from the NCI for Metastatic Melanoma Theranostics
HOUSTON, TX. (PRWEB) October 22, 2014 -- Heterogeneity and drug resistance of metastatic melanoma are two of many factors that contribute to limited effectiveness of available methods of treatment. Systemic therapies induce tumor response in only 5-20% of patients.
“Our theranostic agents can differentiate cancer cells from normal cells based on differences in their metabolic pathways. This highly competitive NCI award will accelerate development of more effective methods of selective delivery of radiation to cancer cells, while reducing radiation exposure of normal tissues. This is a great step for our companies and we are pleased with the NCI decision,” said Dr. Izabela Tworowska, the Principal Investigator on this grant and Chief Science Officer at RadioMedix.
Dr. Tworowska will work in close collaboration with Dr. Michael K. Schultz, Viewpoint CSO and an Associate Professor of Radiology and Radiation Oncology at the University of Iowa. “This grant represents an important milestone for our co-development work with Radiomedix. Our new technologies have great potential to improve therapy for metastatic melanoma patients”, says Dr. Schultz.
“Although a significant research progress has been made in recent years, there are limited numbers of diagnostic and therapeutic agents available for patients with progressive metastatic melanoma. As a clinician, I understand the urgent need for access to more sensitive and specific methods of diagnosis and more effective personalized treatment", stated Dr. Ebrahim S. Delpassand, CEO and Chairman of RadioMedix Inc. ”We are expecting to initiate first-in-human studies of these agents in 2015”.
RadioMedix, Inc. is a clinical phase biotechnology company focused on commercialization of innovative targeted radiopharmaceuticals for diagnosis, monitoring and therapy of cancer. The company is interested in translational studies of the generator-produced radiopharmaceuticals based on Gallium-68 and Lead-212 chemistry. RadioMedix has also established two service facilities for academic and industrial partners: cGMP Manufacturing Suite for clinical probe development and Molecular Imaging Facility for evaluation of agents in animal models. RadioMedix completed late-stage development of a radiolabeled theranostic agents targeting metabolic pathway, GlucoMedix™. The IND clinical trial validation of the diagnostic GLUT-1 targeting agent is scheduled in the first quarter of 2015. The company is a co-sponsor and collaborator on the clinical trials of GalioMedix™ (68Ga-DOTATATE- IND 117289), 177Lu-DOTATATE (IND 78256) used for management and therapy of patient with neuroendocrine tumors, respectively. RadioMedix has recently initiated the first in-human studies of novel kidney radio-protective composition used for patients undergoing peptide receptor targeted therapy-PRRT (IND 118766). RadioMedix was also granted the Orphan Drug Designation status for GalioMedix™ by FDA in December 2013.
About Viewpoint Molecular Targeting LLC.
Viewpoint Molecular Targeting, LLC develops pharmaceutical drugs for diagnostic imaging and therapy for cancer, with a focus on metastatic melanoma. Our novel image-guided therapies enable a personalized approach to select patients that can benefit most and to optimize treatment planning for our targeted therapies. Our unique “theranostic” agents possess properties for both diagnostic imaging and therapy for cancer, personalizing the selection of patients and optimizing patient care.
Izabela Tworowska, PhD, RadioMedix Inc., http://www.radiomedix.com, +1 832-868-2812, [email protected]
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