Welcome to Theranostic Trials by Telix Pharmaceuticals
About Telix
Telix Pharmaceuticals (Telix) is a radiopharmaceutical company developing a broad portfolio of theranostic assets using Molecularly Targeted Radiation (MTR), also known as radioligand therapy.
With nuclear medicine finally coming of age, Telix’s goal is to harness this momentum for the benefit of patients. We are investigating how MTR can support imaging approaches and personalised therapy.
Telix is headquartered in Melbourne, Australia with international operations in Belgium, Switzerland, Japan and the United States.
Telix’s core development pipeline is focused on prostate, kidney, glioblastoma and hematologic cancers.
Purpose of Theranostic Trials
Theranostic Trials is a non-promotional, educational resource for healthcare professionals.
Bringing together information about radiopharmaceutical diagnostic and therapeutic (‘theranostic’) approaches, Theranostic Trials aims to help facilitate transparent scientific exchange regarding developments in theranostic medical research and ongoing clinical trials, as well as providing background information on the surrounding disease areas.
An introduction to Molecularly Targeted Radiation (MTR)
1. Targeted radiation delivery
An MTR drug comprises of a radioactive payload attached to a targeting agent such as a small molecule or antibody, which binds selectively to cancer cells.
The drug attaches to unique cancer cell targets that are typically expressed only on the surface of the cancer cell, thus sparing normal tissues.
2. Systemic administration
Once administered into the blood stream, the MTR drug circulates throughout the body and attaches to the cancer cells, including small metastases, wherever they are located in the body.
This is differentiated from traditional radiation therapy, which is typically targeted at an anatomical rather than cellular level.
3. See it… treat it
Some radioisotopes have physical properties that may be used to image cancer, for diagnosis and staging purposes. 1
Higher dose radiation with α- and β-emitting radioisotopes can be used as therapies to potentially kill cancer cells. 2
1. Diagnostic imaging is typically achieved using a positron-emitting isotope such as gallium-68 (68Ga) or zirconium-89 (89Zr), or a gamma-emitting isotope such as technetium-99m (99mTc).
2. Therapy is typically achieved using a beta-emitting isotope such as lutetium-177 (177Lu) or yttrium-90 (90Y), or an alpha-emitting isotope such as actinium-255 (255AC) or astatine-211 (211At).
Kidney/CA9
Renal cell carcinoma is the most common and aggressive form of kidney cancer. Renal cell carcinoma is an increasingly frequent cancer, having more than doubled in incidence in the developed world over the last 50 years (Padala et al, World Journal of Oncology, 2020). Worldwide, there were more than ~400,000 new cases in 2020, and >175,000 people died from their disease (WHO, 2020).
Prostate/PSMA
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed male cancer and a leading cause of death in men. Worldwide, more than 1.4 million men were diagnosed in 2020, and >375,000 died from their disease (WHO, 2020).
Brain/LAT-1
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive form of primary brain cancer. Worldwide, more than 300,000 people were diagnosed with brain or central nervous system cancer in 2020, and 250,000 died from their disease (WHO, 2020).
Rare disease and Bone marrow Conditioning/CD66
The indications for bone marrow transplantation are increasing from haematological malignancies to solid tumours and autoimmune conditions.
Traditional conditioning regimens are associated with morbidity and mortality from chemotherapy, limiting their use particularly in paediatric and rare diseases.
Our Science
“The field of nuclear medicine has historically lacked clinical momentum and commitment to late-stage product development. Our goal is to rectify this for the benefit of patients, with Molecularly Targeted Radiation (MTR) potentially offering better-informed treatment decisions and truly personalised therapy.”
Dr Christian P. Behrenbruch
CEO and Managing Director
Clinical Trials
Telix is pushing the frontiers of diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine through a number of significant clinical trials, both company-sponsored and in collaboration with leading cancer centres around the globe.
