Starpharma and Radiopharm Theranostics Partner to Develop Novel Radiotherapy Asset

Starpharma Holdings (ASX: SPL) has entered into a research and option partnership with Radiopharm Theranostics (ASX: RAD) to develop and manufacture a dendrimer drug conjugate incorporating a radiopharmaceutical molecule to target certain cancers.

The partnership, which follows six months of preliminary research under Starpharma’s Star Navigator drug development program, will see Radiopharm pay Starpharma a $500,000 for an exclusive option to licence the new asset.

The work will commence immediately utilising Starpharma’s proprietary dendrimer-enhanced product (DEP) delivery platform and Starpharma will also receive an upfront payment of $2 million and be eligible to receive up to $89m in success-based development, regulatory, and commercial milestones.

Star Navigator Optimisation

Starpharma has spent the past 12 months optimising Star Navigator, while showcasing the unique capabilities of dendrimers at high-profile scientific conferences to generate industry interest and open new avenues for collaboration.

“The Star Navigator initiative was launched this year to facilitate partnerships by allowing collaborators to access and evaluate the benefits of our technology within their own research and development programs,” Starpharma chief executive officer Cheryl Maley said.

“Our engagement with Radiopharm speaks to the value of our technology and will demonstrate how our DEP platform can help shape the future of targeted cancer therapies.”

First Radiopharmaceutical Partnership

Ms Maley said the company was keen to embark on its first radiopharmaceutical partnership, which is also the first Star Navigator program to advance to a formal research collaboration.

“This agreement provides external validation of the potential of dendrimers in the fast-evolving area of radiopharmaceutical drug development,” she said.

“Radiopharmaceuticals are a key area of focus for us and our strategy involves developing high-value, differentiated assets and forming strategic partnerships supported by robust scientific data.”

She added that the collaboration does not impact the progress of Starpharma’s internal development efforts such as its HER2-targeted radiotheranostic program, which remains a core priority.

Promoting Radiopharm’s Research

Radiopharm’s chief executive officer Riccardo Canevari said the partnership would help promote the company’s research.

“With the targeted radiotherapeutic sector evolving fast into new mechanism of actions and modalities, we are committed to exploring different and innovative options that have the potential to improve the efficacy and the safety of new radiopharmaceutical vectors,” he said.

“We are excited by the opportunity to work with the capable team of Starpharma to pursue this important and ambitious goal.”