Collaboration to explore novel radiochemistry manufacture of
ImaginAb's Phase II clinical asset
LOS ANGELES and VANCOUVER, Canada, April 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- ImaginAb Inc.,
a leading clinical stage immuno-oncology imaging company, and ARTMS
Products Inc., the global leader in the development of novel
technologies which enable the production of the world's most-used
diagnostic imaging isotopes, today announced they have entered a
multi-year non-exclusive partnership to explore a novel
radiochemistry manufacture of ImaginAb's lead asset 89Zr
CD8 ImmunoPET.
Under the terms of the agreement, ARTMS' high-power technology
will be deployed to enhance the manufacture of ImaginAb's
proprietary antibody 89Zr-Df-IAB22M2C (89Zr
CD8 ImmunoPET).
The CD8 ImmunoPET minibody binds to the CD8 receptor on human T
cells and is used for non-invasive PET (positron emission
tomography) imaging of CD8 T cells in patients as a pharmacodynamic
and predictive marker for immunotherapy. Due to the zirconium-89
(89Zr) labeling of the minibody it can be visualized by
PET imaging. ARTMS' flagship product, the QUANTM Irradiation
SystemTM (QISTM), provides for
cost-effective, decentralized, and local production of important
medical isotopes, including 89Zr which is used for
the labelling of ImaginAb's CD8 ImmunoPET agent.
This pioneering methodology of radiochemistry manufacture
represents an innovative way to generate 89Zr which will
allow for the local manufacture of a significant commercial scale
leading to an increase in 89Zr supply as well as
potentially expanding ImaginAb's supply sites. This new process of
manufacturing 89Zr has the potential to be applied in
the development of other assets in ImaginAb's pipeline.
As part of the research collaboration, ARTMS will run pilot and
optimization studies to assess radiolabelling of ImaginAb's CD8
ImmunoPET minibody using this new methodology.
Commenting on the news, Ian Wilson, Chief
Executive Officer of ImaginAb, said: "We are very excited
to expand our manufacturing capabilities with ARTMS. ImaginAb's CD8
ImmunoPET technology is the most advanced CD8 PET tracer under
clinical development, and this new collaboration has the potential
to increase access of our technology to patients and partners
alike."
Charles S. Conroy, Chief
Executive Officer of ARTMS, added: "We are very pleased to join
ImaginAb in the search and establishment of a novel and more
efficient manufacturing process. This collaboration fits ARTMS'
vision of being a leading manufacturer of the world's most needed
medical radioisotopes. Our state-of-the-art technology
platform and robust global quality-supply network make us uniquely
qualified to support ImaginAb. ARTMS and ImaginAb share the same
patient-focused mindset and dedication to producing products of the
highest quality for patients."
About ImaginAb
ImaginAb Inc. is an immuno-oncology imaging company focused on
providing actionable insight into patient selection and treatment
progress for cancer immunotherapy, enabling precision medicine.
ImaginAb engineers antibody fragments called minibodies that
maintain the exquisite specificity of full-length antibodies while
remaining biologically inert in the body. Used with widely
available PET scan technology, these novel minibodies illuminate
high-value molecular targets, providing physicians with a
whole-body picture of immune activity. ImaginAb is advancing a
pipeline of minibodies against oncology and immunology targets
including the CD8 ImmunoPET minibody targeting CD8 T cells.
ImaginAb's products have the potential to improve patient care and
lower healthcare costs. The Company is backed by top tier venture
capital firms and strategic corporate firms including The Parker
Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Nextech Invest, Adage Capital,
The Cycad Group, Merck (MSD) Pharma, Novartis Bioventures and
Jim Pallotta of the Raptor
Group.
For more information about ImaginAb's pipeline and technology,
visit www.imaginab.com.
About CD8 ImmunoPET
CD8 ImmunoPET minibody [89Zr-Df-IAB22M2C] binds to the CD8
receptor on human T cells and is used for non-invasive PET imaging
of CD8 T cells in patients. These CD8 T cells are the main effector
cells involved in the immune response against tumor cells. Due
to the 89Zr labeling of the minibody it can be
visualized by PET imaging. The Phase I dose escalation study
conducted with cancer patients receiving immunotherapy treatments
has demonstrated safety, established the effective dose and the
optimal PET imaging protocol as well as demonstrated proof of
concept for using CD8 ImmunoPET as a clinical tool for the
detection and imaging of CD8 T cells in patients. Additional
studies including ImaginAb's Phase II study and studies sponsored
by ImaginAb's corporate partners are further establishing the
repeat dosing and the utility of CD8 ImmunoPET as a pharmacodynamic
and predictive marker for immunotherapy.
ARTMS' flagship product, the QUANTM Irradiation
SystemTM (QISTM), provides for
cost-effective, decentralized, and local production of important
medical isotopes, including 89Zr which is used for
the labelling of ImaginAb's CD8 ImmunoPET minibody.
About ARTMS
Based in Vancouver, British
Columbia, Canada, ARTMS Products Inc. is a global leader in
the development of novel technologies and products which enable the
high-quality and high-yield production of the world's most-used
diagnostic imaging isotopes. ARTMS' flagship product, the QUANTM
Irradiation SystemTM (QISTM), enables
decentralized, cost-effective, large-scale production of important
medical isotopes such as of zirconium-89 (89Zr),
gallium-68 (68Ga), technetium‐99m (99mTc) and copper-64 (64Cu)
using local, hospital-based medical cyclotrons empowering the user
to control their supply chain. ARTMS commercializes these
award-winning and proprietary Canadian inventions on a global basis
and has the prospect of revolutionizing the nuclear medicine
industry.
For more information on the QUANTM Irradiation System™ and ARTMS
Products, please follow us on
Twitter @Quantm99 and LinkedIn and
visit http://www.artms.ca/