Reno, Nevada (UroToday.com) -- Lantheus Holdings, Inc. (“Lantheus”) (NASDAQ: LNTH), the leading radiopharmaceutical-focused company committed to enabling clinicians to Find, Fight and Follow disease to deliver better patient outcomes, today announced its acquisition of the global rights of Life Molecular Imaging’s (“Life Molecular”) RM2, targeting the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR), including the associated novel, clinical-stage radiotherapeutic and radiodiagnostic pair, referred to as 177Lu-DOTA-RM2 and 68Ga-DOTA-RM2. This acquisition strengthens Lantheus’ presence in prostate cancer and expands its pipeline to include breast and other cancers. The agreement includes global rights1 to this radiotheranostic pair for an upfront payment of $35 million and potential regulatory milestone payments plus royalties.
Lantheus’ acquisition of worldwide rights to 177Lu-DOTA-RM2 and 68Ga-DOTA-RM2 underscores its dedication to pioneering cancer care and marks a significant step towards addressing unmet medical needs in prostate and breast cancer treatment. RM2 was discovered at the Universities Bern and Basel and development was originally performed by Bayer Pharma AG. It was subsequently licensed to Life Molecular. 68Ga-DOTA-RM2 targets cancers overexpressing GRPR, such as prostate, breast, lung, pancreatic, colorectal, gastric and ovarian cancers and has been extensively studied in various tumor types. First-in-human dosimetry showed a favorable safety and dosimetry profile and confirmed preclinical data demonstrating dose-dependent efficacy of 177Lu-DOTA-RM2. Lantheus intends to begin a Phase 1/2a study with 177Lu-DOTA-RM2 in prostate cancer patients in 2025. 68Ga-DOTA-RM2 will be used as a companion diagnostic.
“While new PSMA-targeted diagnostics and therapeutics are transforming prostate cancer care, there are many patients for whom PSMA-targeted therapy may not be appropriate,” said Brian Markison, Lantheus CEO. “Targeting GRPR with 177Lu-DOTA-RM2 and 68Ga-DOTA-RM2 creates a potential new option to expand access to radiotheranostics for more prostate cancer patients. This expands our therapeutic offerings and opens avenues for commercial synergies.”Life Molecular, a subsidiary of Life Healthcare Group, will complete the Phase 1/2a dose escalation study in collaboration with Lantheus.
“With Lantheus’ experience developing and providing access to radiotheranostics in cancer, we are confident in our decision to hand them the reins for this promising theranostic pair and are honored to work with them toward improving the future for people with prostate and breast cancer,” said Ludger Dinkelborg, CEO, Life Molecular Imaging.
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- Lantheus’ global rights are exclusive for therapeutic fields in all countries and diagnostic fields in the Americas and co-exclusive with Life Molecular for diagnostic fields outside of the Americas.