Press release
Monopar and NorthStar Announce Filing of Composition of Matter Patent Protecting MNPR-101 Radiotherapeutic
WILMETTE, Ill. and BELOIT, Wis., May 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Monopar Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: MNPR) and NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes, LLC, today
About this update from Monopar Therapeutics Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"WILMETTE, Ill. and BELOIT, Wis., May 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Monopar Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: MNPR) and NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes, LLC, today announced the filing of a provisional composition of matter patent titled “Urokinase Plasminogen Activator Receptor-Targeted Radiopharmaceutical” covering a radiotherapeutic consisting of Monopar’s proprietary antibody MNPR-101 bound to Actinium-225 (Ac-225) via the metal binding agent PCTA. This Radio-Immuno-Therapeutic (RIT) demonstrated a 98% radiochemical purity and has the potential to be a highly selective, potent treatment for a variety of cancers, severe COVID-19, and other diseases characterized by aberrant urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) expression. RITs are an emerging class of drugs formed by attaching a radioactive element to an antibody for the purpose of targeting and killing specific cells. Actinium is quickly becoming a premier radioisotope of choice for RITs; however, its full potential is presently constrained by its price and scarcity. On May 24, 2021, Monopar and NorthStar announced the filing of a provisional patent which may enable them to manufacture antibody-PCTA-Ac225 conjugates using less antibody and less Ac-225 starting material, and may also confer efficacy and safety advantages while also improving supply chain logistics. “We are excited about working with Monopar to develop MNPR-101 as a radio-immuno-therapeutic, and advancing it further toward the clinic,” said James Harvey, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of NorthStar. “The binding of Actinium-225 to PCTA-MNPR-101 with 98% yield is highly encouraging,” said Andrew Mazar, PhD, Monopar’s Chief Scientific Officer. “If issued, this composition of matter patent could significantly expand the MNPR-101 patent estate.” About Monopar Therapeutics Inc.Monopar Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing proprietary therapeutics designed to extend life or improve the quality of life for cancer patients. Monopar’s pipeline consists of Validive® for the prevention of chemoradiotherapy-induced severe oral mucositis in oropharyngeal cancer patients; camsirubicin for the treatment of advanced soft tissue sarcoma; and a preclinical stage uPAR targeted antibody MNPR-101 for advanced cancers and severe COVID-19. For more information, visit: www.monopartx.com. Abo...