Convergent Therapeutics Receives Actinium 225 from Cardinal Health for CONVERGE-01 Phase 2 Trial

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Nov. 18, 2024 – Convergent Therapeutics Inc., a biotechnology company dedicated to advancing radiopharmaceutical therapies for prostate cancer and other malignancies, has announced the arrival of its first shipments of non-carrier added (n.c.a.) Actinium 225 (Ac-225) from Cardinal Health.

Philip Kantoff, MD, Co-founder and CEO of Convergent, emphasized the significance of this Ac-225 supply for cancer treatment. He noted that this shipment is pivotal for supporting Convergent's leading product, CONV01-α. This product is a monoclonal antibody targeting prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) and is linked to Ac-225. CONV01-α is under investigation for its potential in treating prostate cancer.

Mike Pintek, President of Cardinal Health Nuclear & Precision Health Solutions, expressed satisfaction in collaborating with Convergent to provide Ac-225 for their clinical-stage therapies targeting prostate cancer. He anticipates that this will enhance access to Ac-225 and facilitate advancements in cancer treatment.

Ac-225 is an alpha-emitting radioisotope important for cancer treatment due to its ability to deliver radiation capable of killing cancer cells when attached to a targeting antibody. Convergent is exploring its applications in radiopharmaceutical therapies, which involve combining specific molecules with therapeutic radioisotopes to deliver targeted radiation to cancer cells.

Alexander Brown, Chief Operating Officer of Convergent Therapeutics, highlighted that Ac-225 production has been limited, traditionally managed by a few government laboratories. He noted that commercial suppliers are now expanding manufacturing capacity to meet the needs of cancer patients.

The Ac-225 supply is crucial for Convergent's portfolio of next-generation radiotherapies, including its primary asset, CONV01-α. This product merges the specificity and pharmacokinetics of antibodies with the tumor-destroying power of alpha-emitting radionuclides. CONV01-α employs a humanized monoclonal antibody directed at PSMA, which is overexpressed in prostate cancer cells. Given that PSMA is a validated target, various treatments aim at this antigen, with CONV01-α distinguishing itself through its antibody and alpha emitter configuration. The Ac-225 linked to CONV01-α emits alpha particles that inflict DNA double-strand breaks in cancer cells, minimizing radiation exposure to healthy cells and tissues due to the short travel distance of alpha particles. This combination of targeted antibodies and potent, localized radiation is ideal for treating various cancers.

Convergent Therapeutics Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology firm developing tumor-selective alpha radioantibodies for cancer treatment. Founded by leading experts in clinical care, research, drug development, and cancer biology, the company’s proprietary platform is licensed from Cornell University. Their radioantibodies leverage the selectivity of antibodies and the destructive power of alpha radioisotopes to precisely target and eradicate cancer cells with localized radiation.