POINT Biopharma Global Inc., a company developing radiopharmaceuticals, and AdvanCell, a company developing an innovative pipeline of targeted alpha therapies with a platform technology to produce 212Pb radiopharmaceuticals, entered into a collaboration on the development of a global 212Pb radioisotope and radiolig and 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 (228Th, 1.9 year half-life) or radium (224Ra, 3.6 day half-life) 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 (10.6 hours) has the benefit of delivering >99% 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.

“We constantly strive to use the right isotope for the job, and variations in ligand and tumor characteristics require different isotope properties,” said Joe McCann, CEO of POINT Biopharma. “Adding 212Pb to our toolbox increases the optionality for new programs with the goal of developing new therapeutic options with improved clinical outcomes. Importantly, AdvanCell’s proprietary 212Pb generator technology based on 228Th sources is next-generation technology that we believe can scale to commercial quantities.”

Andrew Adamovich, CEO of AdvanCell said, “AdvanCell is delighted to collaborate with POINT Biopharma, whose excellence and track record in manufacturing and clinical development we have admired and respected for some time. These treatments have demonstrated incredible efficacy but have been hampered by manufacturing and supply issues. AdvanCell’s technology, in combination with POINT’s demonstrated manufacturing expertise and our joint commitment to developing life-saving therapies, will deliver on the promise of targeted alpha therapy and positively impact the lives of many. As AdvanCell progresses ADVC001, our lead clinical program for the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer, this collaboration will accelerate clinical development and ensure the scaled supply of these important medicines.”