Bubendorf, Switzerland, Tuesday, December 8, 2020 – CIS Pharma successfully completed the biodistribution study with its polymer carrier technology applied to an antibody radionuclide conjugate (ARC). The conjugate was tested in a SKOvip mouse model, an aggressive form of ovarian cancer. The ARC tested comprised Trastuzumab as a model antibody to which two polymer carriers were conjugated that contained several chelators for the immobilization of radionuclides like lutecium-177 or indium-111. The biodistribution including the ratio of tumor to healthy tissue of the conjugate was similar to the Trastuzumab antibody labeled directly with lutecium-177 or indium-111. CIS Pharma’s ARC technology showed a higher stability in blood and higher yields during the conjugation process.
Dr. Martin Behe, Group Leader at the Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences (CRS) at the Paul Scherrer Institute, was impressed by the performance of the ARC based on the polymer carrier that showed a good uptake in the tumor tissue and a lower background in other organs compared to the conventional ARC.
Dr Christian Geraths, CSO of CIS Pharma AG, said: “These results clearly indicate that the antibody’s target specificity is unimpaired when we attach our polymer carrier to it. Since the polymer carrier itself can be modified with a multitude of different actives in a far easier and more robust setup, this study represents an important milestone for the next generation of ARCs”. Based on these positive results CIS Pharma will start the development of its own ARC program for a promising new target.”
About CIS Pharma antibody-drug conjugates, ADCs, and antibody radionuclide conjugates, ARCs
ADCs, antibody-drug conjugates, are a class of highly potent drugs for the treatment of cancer. Conventional ADCs are composed of a chemotherapeutic drug that is conjugated directly to an antibody targeting cancer cells. CIS Pharma has developed a polymer-drug-carrier, PDC, that is loaded with anticancer moieties and consequently linked to the antibody. The PDC platform allows for customization and optimization of ADCs for a given target and indication.
ARCs, antibody-radionuclide conjugates, are a form of radiotherapy, where a radionuclide molecule is linked to an antibody. CIS Pharma has developed a radionuclide-specific PDC that is optimized to conjugate radionuclides to an antibody. Radionuclides, such as Lutetium-177 or Iodine-131 are radioactive isotopes that emit radiation that kill cancer cells. Other radionuclides such as Indium-111 or Zirconium-89 are used for imaging and localization of cancer cells and to monitor the progress of cancer treatment.
Theranostics is a concept that refers to the integration of imaging and therapy in a single system, allowing therapy and follow-up of the treatment. CIS Pharma PDC’s are designed to conjugate both imaging and therapeutic compounds in a single system to simultaneously treat and monitor cancer. Alternatively, the identical antibody-polymer-drug-carrier-system is loaded in a first step with imaging radio-isotopes to then load in a second run therapeutic radio-isotopes to treat cancer.
About CIS Pharma AG
CIS Pharma AG is an innovator in the life science industry. The company was founded in 1952 and is family owned. In our laboratories, we synthesize novel molecules, develop new biomaterials and create cutting-edge medical devices. Our mission is to improve the risk-benefit profile of therapeutics that are the standard of care, thereby improving patient’s experience and treatment outcome. Medical need, patient centricity and digital technology are key to our research and development programs. CIS Pharma is located in the region of Basel, Switzerland, one of the most successful life sciences locations in the world. For more information about the company, visit our website www.cis-pharma.com.