Date: 2011-04-04
Type of information: R&D agreement
Compound: thorium platform
Company: Algeta (Norway) Genzyme (USA - MA)
Therapeutic area: Cancer - Oncology
Type agreement: R&D
Action mechanism: Thorium-227 is an element (radionuclide) that emits high-energy alpha particles. Such elements are of considerable interest in the treatment of cancer as they are potent at killing tumor cells and have a highly localized effect as a result of the very short range of the alpha particle (2-10 cell diameters).Current top-selling cancer drugs are based on 'naked' monoclonal antibodies, but it is clear that next-generation products will require cancer-killing payloads to maximize the effectiveness of therapy. Thorium-227 is linked to tumor-targeting carrier molecules, such as monoclonal antibodies, to reach its target. By conjugating thorium-227 to a number of such molecules, each with a different tumor target, Algeta is exploring the potential to create a pipeline of new-generation alpha-pharmaceuticals to specifically seek and destroy cancers while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues.
Disease: tumors, cancers
Details: Algeta has entered a research collaboration with Genzyme to evaluate the potential of its Thorium platform. Under the terms of the collaboration, Genzyme will provide access to a novel and proprietary tumor-targeting antibody, and Algeta will provide access to its Thorium platform to attach the alpha emitting payload thorium-227. Both companies will contribute resources towards the collaboration, which is expected to last for up to a year initially.
Financial terms:
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