WILMETTE, Ill. and BELOIT, Wis. and ANGLETON, Texas, Aug. 10, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Monopar Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: MNPR) (Wilmette, IL) and NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes, LLC (Beloit, WI), who are collaborating on the development of Radio-Immuno-Therapeutics (RITs) to treat patients with severe COVID-19, today announced a partnership with IsoTherapeutics Group, LLC (Angleton, TX), to develop and manufacture a RIT for the potential treatment of severe COVID-19.
IsoTherapeutics will modify Monopar’s proprietary urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) targeted antibody, MNPR-101, by making conjugates that will allow the attachment of therapeutic radioisotopes supplied by NorthStar, creating a platform of uPAR-targeted RIT (uPRIT) candidates to be evaluated as treatments for severe COVID-19. The plan is for IsoTherapeutics to then advance a clinical candidate identified from this platform through GMP manufacturing for Monopar and NorthStar to take into its first in human trials.
Recent publications have implicated uPAR-expressing immune cells in the development of severe lung injury, multiple organ failure, and death in severe COVID-19 patients. “A treatment that specifically targets and eradicates these over-activated immune cells could significantly improve patient outcomes in severe COVID-19,” said Andrew Mazar, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Monopar.
“We are excited to partner with Monopar and NorthStar,” said Jim Simón, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of IsoTherapeutics. “A uPAR-targeted RIT has great therapeutic potential, and we are proud to contribute our expertise in radiopharmaceutical research and manufacturing to ensure its rapid and effective development.”
James T. Harvey, Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Science Officer of NorthStar, said “We have successfully worked with IsoTherapeutics on a previous project that led to an FDA approval, and we value their expertise. This is a crucial step in the development of a uPRIT for severe COVID-19.”
About Monopar Therapeutics Inc.
Monopar Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company primarily 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 late-stage preclinical antibody, MNPR-101, for advanced cancers and severe COVID-19. For more information, visit: www.monopartx.com.
About NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes, LLC
NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes is a global innovator in the production and distribution of radioisotopes used for medical imaging and therapeutic purposes. NorthStar is a company committed to providing the United States with reliable and environmentally friendly radioisotope supply solutions to meet the needs of patients and to advance clinical research. The Company’s first product is the RadioGenix® System (technetium Tc 99m generator), an innovative and flexible platform technology initially approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in February 2018. For more information, visit: www.northstarnm.com.
About IsoTherapeutics Group, LLC
IsoTherapeutics Group is a radiopharmaceutical company that provides research and development services, including animal studies and early stage manufacturing for the purpose of aiding customers and collaborators in the development of radionuclide-based drug and device products. IsoTherapeutics scientists hold over 100 patents for novel chemistry and radiopharmaceutical formulations. For more information, visit: http://isotherapeutics.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “project,” “potential,” “continue,” “target” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Examples of these forward-looking statements include statements concerning IsoTherapeutics’ ability to create a platform of uPAR-targeted RIT (uPRIT) candidates based upon MNPR-101 and a therapeutic radioisotope from NorthStar; IsoTherapeutics’ ability to advance a clinical candidate identified from this platform through GMP manufacturing for Monopar and NorthStar to take into its first in human trials; that a treatment that specifically targets and eradicates these over-activated immune cells could significantly improve patient outcomes in severe COVID-19; that a uPAR-targeted RIT has great therapeutic potential; and that IsoTherapeutics’ expertise in radiopharmaceutical research and manufacturing will ensure rapid and effective development of uPRIT candidates. The forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the lack of any clinical activities to date with respect to MNPR-101 and that preclinical development activities to date have been focused on the treatment of cancers, the requirement for additional capital to complete preclinical and clinical development, and if successful, commercialization, IsoTherapeutics not being able to couple MNPR-101 to a therapeutic radioisotope, the conjugate not being able to kill aberrantly activated cytokine-producing immune cells, the conjugate not being able to use uPAR to gain entry into these cells and deliver cytotoxic payload to kill these cells while sparing normal tissue, not being able to ensure volumes of this radioisotope can be manufactured and scaled up to meet potential demand, uncertainties about levels of demand if and when a treatment is available for commercialization and the significant general risks and uncertainties surrounding the research, development, regulatory approval and commercialization of therapeutics. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Risks are described more fully in Monopar's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Monopar, NorthStar and IsoTherapeutics undertake no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release represent Monopar’s, NorthStar’s and IsoTherapeutics’ views only as of the date hereof and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date.
CONTACTS:
For Monopar Therapeutics Inc.:
Investor Relations:
Kim R. Tsuchimoto
Chief Financial Officer
kimtsu@monopartx.com
For NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes, LLC.:
Investor Relations:
Paul Estrem
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
pestrem@northstarnm.com
For IsoTherapeutics Group, LLC.:
Lance Cooper
Director of Business Development
lancecooper@isotherapeutics.com