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- Starpharma’s (SPL) second radiopharmaceutical candidate, DEP HER2-lutetium, has achieved anti-cancer activity in breast cancer
- The drug has outperformed Herceptin, a treatment for a type of breast cancer called HER2 positive
- Starpharma now has multiple potential DEP products in radiopharmaceuticals and radiodiagnostics, rapidly developing areas of cancer treatment and diagnosis
- On the market this morning, Starpharma is up 1.60 per cent and is trading at $1.90 per share
Starpharma (SPL) shares are on the rise this morning after its second radiopharmaceutical candidate, DEP HER2-lutetium, achieves anti-cancer activity in breast cancer.
Importantly, the drug outperformed Herceptin, a treatment for a type of breast cancer called HER2 positive, or human epidermal growth factor receptor 2.
Radiotheranostics is a rapidly developing area of cancer treatment and diagnosis, which has recently gained several high-value deals. The industry is estimated to grow to $12 to $15 billion by 2030.
Around the world, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and the second most common cancer in the U.S.
HER2 is a growth promoting protein on the outside of the breast cells.
Breast cancer cells with higher than normal levels of HER2 are called HER2 positive. These cancers tend to grow and spread faster than other breast cancers but are much more likely to respond to treatments with drugs that target the HER2 protein, like Herceptin.
Notably, HER2 receptor also exisits in some other cancers such as gastric, colon, bladder and biliary cancers.
DEP HER2 lutetium is a proprietary dendrimer developed by Starpharma, the drug includes the radioisotope lutetium-177 and a novel HER2 targeting moiety.
The recent study evaluated the anti-cancer activity of different doses of DEP HER2- lutetium and DEP lutetium compared to Herceptin.
The study was conducted at the University of Queensland’s Centre for Advanced Imaging.
“We and our specialist radiotheranostics clinical advisers are very excited by these latest data. Starpharma now has multiple potential DEP products in the radiopharmaceuticals and radiodiagnostic area,” said Starphama CEO Dr Jackie Fairley.
“We are delighted to continue working with Professor Kristofer Thurecht at the University of Queensland’s Centre for Advanced Imaging, as well as building strong relationships with radionuclide specialists and clinicians,” she added.
On the market this morning, Starpharma is up 1.60 per cent and is trading at $1.90 per share at 11:12 am AEDT.
