NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes and Convergent Therapeutics have announced an expanded strategic collaboration for CONV01-α, a new treatment for prostate cancer.
A lead asset of Convergent, CONV01-α is a prostate-specific membrane antigen-targeted monoclonal antibody attached to Ac-225.
Under the contract manufacturing services agreement, NorthStar will supply Convergent with environmentally preferred, high purity non-carrier-added Ac-225 to be used in CONV01-α.
NorthStar will also leverage its new contract development and manufacturing facility to produce CONV01-α for Convergent's clinical trials.
NorthStar will engage in research and development activities to further the development of CONV01-α and other assets from Convergent.
In March 2024, Convergent obtained clearance for an investigational new drug application from the US Food and Drug Administration for CONV01-α.
This clearance enables Convergent to proceed with Phase II studies and broaden the clinical development of CONV01-α, both as a standalone therapy and in combination with other cancer treatments.
The collaboration aims to ensure a steady supply of CONV01-α for ongoing clinical studies and potential future commercialisation.
Ac-225 is an alpha-emitting radionuclide and is the critical component of CONV01-α, which is designed to target and kill prostate cancer cells.
The alpha particles from Ac-225 can cause double-strand breaks in DNA, effectively killing cancer cells.
Due to their short range, alpha particles minimise radiation damage to surrounding healthy cells, making CONV01-α a targeted and potentially less harmful cancer therapy option.
Pairing highly selective antibodies with such a powerful yet precise payload offers the ideal combination to treat many types of cancers.
NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes CEO Frank Scholz said: “At NorthStar, our passion is to reduce technological and operational barriers to help companies like Convergent Therapeutics not only secure a reliable source of Ac-225, but manufacture a finished, patient-ready drug product and continue to develop new and additional therapeutic indications for the patients who need new and better medicines.
“We are proud to be supporting Convergent and look forward to working with them to help make new medicines like CONV01-α therapeutic reality.”
