On January 13, 2021 Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE AMERICAN: ATNM) ("Actinium") reported the research collaboration with Astellas Pharma Inc. (TSE:4503) ("Astellas") to develop novel targeted radiotherapies using its Antibody Warhead Enabling (AWE) technology platform. (Press release, Actinium Pharmaceuticals, JAN 13, 2021, View Source [SID1234573967]) Under this agreement, Actinium will utilize its AWE Platform technology to develop and characterize selected Astellas targeting agents labeled with the potent alpha-emitting radioisotope Actinium-225 (Ac-225). This collaboration is a component of Astellas’ internal initiative to develop theranostics as part of its Rx+ business (For more information, please visit View Source).
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"We are excited to execute on this research collaboration with Astellas, a global leader at the forefront of healthcare innovation," stated Dr. Dale Ludwig, Chief Scientific and Technology Officer of Actinium. "Targeted radiotherapy has a highly differentiated mechanism of action with the potential to address multiple disease indications and therefore has been an area of significant exploration and investment of late. Through our AWE technology platform, we are able to bring our significant know-how in working with Actinium-225, as well as our robust clinical experience with targeted radiotherapies and supply chain to bear in this collaboration. With our enhanced laboratory capabilities and the expertise of our R&D team, we are well positioned to execute on this collaboration with Astellas as well as our own R&D strategy, to complement our Iomab-B and Actimab-A clinical programs."
The intellectual property encompassing Actinium’s AWE technology platform covers its gold standard linker technology, methods of ARC manufacture in addition to methods of use for ARCs in multiple diseases, including indication, dose and scheduling, radionuclide warhead, and therapeutic combinations. Actinium’s AWE technology patent portfolio includes 30 patent families comprised of over 135 issued or pending global patent applications, of which 10 are issued and 24 pending in the United States.
Sandesh Seth, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Actinium, added, "Through our development efforts, Actinium has established itself as a leader in the field of Actinium-225 based targeted radiotherapies. We have amassed the most experience treating patients with Actinium-225 via our CD33 program’s several Actimab-A trials and have gained important insights in developing targeted radiotherapies through the execution of the Actimab-A and also SIERRA Phase 3 pivotal trial for our lead asset, Iomab-B. This expertise and experience with radiopharmaceuticals has been invaluable to us and we believe will also be to Astellas in this collaboration. As Iomab-B and Actimab-A advance in the clinic with multiple clinical milestones upcoming from each of our trials, we look forward to executing this collaboration and furthering the field of targeted radiotherapy with Astellas."
About Our Antibody Warhead Enabling Platform Technology
The Antibody Warhead Enabling (AWE) Program has at its centerpiece the AWE Platform Technology. The Company’s proprietary AWE Platform Technology is supported by intellectual property and know-how that enables the creation of Actinium-225 (Ac-225) Radio-Conjugates (ARCs) wherein a biomolecular targeting agent is stably labeled with the powerful Ac-225 payload to enhance targeted cell killing. The AWE Platform is protected by intellectual property covering the use of the "gold standard" chelator DOTA, and any conceivable derivative thereof. Additionally, Actinium holds intellectual property protection covering methods of chelation or labeling of the targeting agent with Ac-225, including newer next-generation methodologies for chelation of Ac-225.
The AWE Program is structured to provide the opportunity for partners or collaborators to derive maximum value from a collaboration by leveraging Actinium’s extensive technical know-how, access to its ARC drug development infrastructure and to its underlying AWE Platform Technology. The AWE Program provides a partner or collaborator with access to Actinium’s knowledge bank and infrastructure allowing collaborators to benefit from accelerated development timelines for its ARCs.
To learn more about the AWE Technology Platform or the AWE Program please contact our Business Development team at [email protected].