Curium and PeptiDream Partner for Prostate Cancer Theranostics in Japan

Curium, a global leader in nuclear medicine, and PDRadiopharma Inc., a subsidiary of PeptiDream, have announced a strategic collaboration focused on the clinical development, regulatory filing, and commercialization of 177Lu-PSMA-I&T and 64Cu-PSMA-I&T in Japan. These agents target prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) which is prevalent in prostate cancer cells, offering potential both for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes.

The collaboration entails joint efforts in clinical development, with PDRadiopharma taking the lead on regulatory submissions, manufacturing, commercialization, and distribution in Japan. Curium will support these activities through technology transfer, facilitating the establishment of manufacturing capabilities within Japan, including a high-capacity Copper 64 production line using Curium’s proprietary technology.

Patrick C. Reid, President & CEO of PeptiDream, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, emphasizing the transformative potential of targeted radiopharmaceuticals in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Masato Murakami, President of PDRadiopharma, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of swiftly bringing these promising agents to patients in Japan.

Chaitanya Tatineni, Curium’s CEO for International Markets, noted the synergy between Curium’s innovative radiopharmaceutical pipeline and PDRadiopharma’s extensive experience in Japan. The partnership aims to expedite the development of groundbreaking treatments for prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer remains a significant health issue in Japan, with approximately 90,000 to 100,000 new cases diagnosed annually. The survival rate for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer is around three years in clinical settings, underscoring the urgent need for effective therapies.

177Lu-PSMA-I&T, which combines a PSMA inhibitor with the radioisotope Lutetium 177, is undergoing a pivotal Phase 3 ECLIPSE trial to compare its safety and efficacy against hormone therapy in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. The trial includes over 400 patients across multiple sites in the United States and Europe.

Meanwhile, 64Cu-PSMA-I&T PET is being evaluated in two Phase 3 trials, SOLAR RECUR and SOLAR STAGE, for its diagnostic performance in men with biochemical recurrence and newly diagnosed high-risk prostate cancer, respectively. Early trials have shown promising results in accurately detecting metastatic prostate cancer through PSMA-targeted PET/CT imaging, which is becoming a sensitive method for identifying recurrent or metastatic lesions.

Curium and PDRadiopharma’s collaboration is built on a long-standing relationship within the radiopharmaceutical sector. PeptiDream, listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, is advancing macrocyclic peptides into innovative medicines, addressing unmet medical needs and enhancing patient quality of life. Through PDRadiopharma, PeptiDream markets a substantial range of approved radiopharmaceuticals and radiodiagnostics in Japan, leveraging its Peptide Discovery Platform System (PDPS) technology.

PDRadiopharma has been at the forefront of providing high-quality radiopharmaceuticals since its inception in 1968. It currently markets 21 radiodiagnostic products and 8 radiotherapeutic products in Japan, while also developing a robust pipeline for both domestic and international markets.

Curium, with facilities across Europe and the United States, serves over 14 million patients annually with its SPECT, PET, and therapeutic radiopharmaceutical solutions. The company’s name honors Marie and Pierre Curie, emphasizing its commitment to innovation in nuclear medicine.