According to the firm, the PDC platform showed selective cancer targeting both preclinically in over 60 in vivo cancer models, as well as confirmed clinically in around ten cancer types.
The payload diversity of the platform was validated using cytotoxic radioisotopes for cancer therapy, PET imaging isotopes for cancer imaging and fluorophores for image-guided surgery.
Currently, the firm intends to expand its payload portfolio to chemotherapeutics such as paclitaxel and gemcitabine.
Cellectar Biosciences CEO Jim Caruso said: "PDCs are a new class of small-molecules that exploit our extensively vetted phospholipid ether-based cancer targeting and delivery technology.
"Our platform possesses the ability to link diverse oncologic payloads for targeted delivery to a broad range of cancer and cancer stem cell targets."
The company is commencing its PDC chemotherapeutic program with two preclinical drug candidates, including CLR 1601-PTX and CLR 1605-GEM, which will use paclitaxel and gemcitabine as the respective payloads.
CLR 1601-PTX preclinical data is expected to be revealed in the fourth quarter of this year, while CLR 1605-GEM data in the first quarter of this year.
The firm’s lead PDC is CLR 131 and its payload is iodine-131, a proven cytotoxic radioisotope that is used primarily for thyroid cancer treatment.
Image: Cellectar plans to expand its payload portfolio to chemotherapeutics such as paclitaxel and gemcitabine. Photo: courtesy of Piyachok Thawornmat / FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
