On January 13, 2021 Astellas Pharma Inc. (TSE: 4503, President and CEO: Kenji Yasukawa, Ph.D., "Astellas" ) reported that it has entered into a research collaboration for molecular targeted radiotherapies with Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE AMERICAN: ATNM, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board: Sandesh Seth, "Actinium") (Press release, Astellas, JAN 13, 2021, View Source [SID1234573913]). This collaboration is a component of Astellas’ initiative to develop "theranostics" as part of its Rx+ business1.
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Theranostics is a combined term of "therapeutics" and "diagnostics", defined as a treatment protocol or concept in which healthcare professionals assess lesion sites and simultaneously determine the appropriate treatment for each patient2. Through utilization of a diagnostic agent developed in parallel with a therapeutic agent that shares the same target, it may be possible to identify patients in advance who would benefit from the treatment. This approach may help healthcare professionals provide more efficient and effective treatment.
In this collaboration, the potential therapeutic effect will be assessed by combining certain targeted oncology drugs that were discovered by Astellas based on its drug discovery capabilities cultivated thus far with Actinium’s nuclear medicine technology which utilizes an alpha particle-emitting radioisotope3 (Actinium-225). Astellas is already conducting pre-clinical trials of the diagnostic agents on the target molecule．When a promising therapeutic drug candidate is identified in the course of this collaboration, clinical trials for the theranostics may be initiated.
Through its Rx+ business, Astellas aims to realize a society where people can live in their own way, both physically and mentally through scientifically based on scientific evidence. Astellas aims to optimize therapeutic approach by improving diagnostic and surgical accuracy and maximize patient outcomes. The development of theranostics that integrates diagnostics and therapeutics is part of this effort.
Astellas has already reflected the impact from this collaboration in its financial forecast of the current fiscal year ending March 31, 2021.