Atonco, a French biotechnology company, and the University of Michigan today announced a collaboration agreement to conduct a targeted alpha-therapy Phase 1-2a clinical study evaluating Atonco’s ATO-101™ ([211At] anti-CA-IX antibody) in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).
Bladder cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide, ranking 10th overall and 6th among men. In 2020, it accounted for more than 573,000 new cases and approximately 212,000 deaths globally.
Although Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy is the standard of care, it fails in approximately 40% of cases, leading to radical bladder removal procedures. While newer therapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors have entered clinical trials, additional options are urgently needed.
Atonco’s ATO-101™ ([211At] anti-CA-IX antibody) is a targeted radiopharmaceutical composed of an alpha-emitting radionuclide, astatine-211 (211At), conjugated to the CAIX-specific monoclonal antibody Girentuximab (TLX250), designed to deliver the radioisotope directly to targeted cancer cells.
The study will be led by Professor Benjamin Viglianti, in collaboration with Professor Peter Scott.
“The disruptive potential of targeted radiopharmaceutical therapies in cancer treatment is considerable, as these therapies have the ability to deliver radiation directly and specifically to cancer cells, potentially reducing, in our study, the risk of complications associated with traditional BCG therapy,” noted Viglianti, Associate Professor of Clinical Radiology and Chief of the Division of Nuclear Medicine at the University of Michigan.
“We are delighted to partner with the University of Michigan and leverage their world-class expertise in clinical radiopharmaceutical research to uncover the safety and activity profile of ATO-101™. Atonco’s team will include Ms. Aurélie Moreau and Mr. Denis Bilodeau, a seasoned expert leading our clinical research team in the United States and Europe,” said Dr. Jean-François Chatal, founder and Chief Medical Officer of Atonco.
The Phase 1-2a study will be conducted at the University of Michigan and will involve a number of satellite sites. Enrollment of the first study patients is expected to begin in the coming months, pending FDA approval of the study plan.
About ATONCO
Atonco is a private company developing targeted radiopharmaceutical products for oncological applications. Originating from the nuclear medicine centre in Nantes, Atonco and its partners are committed to the clinical use of alpha-emitting radionuclides, particularly astatine-211.
For more information, visit www.atonco-pharma.com
About the UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
The University of Michigan is a leading public research university committed to advancing knowledge and solving complex challenges. Its world-class faculty and state-of-the-art facilities make it a premier partner for medical research and clinical studies.
For more information, visit https://umich.edu