NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes, LLC, a leader in radiopharmaceutical innovation, has entered into a strategic Master Supply Agreement with Cellectar Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLRB). Under the agreement, Cellectar will integrate NorthStar’s high-purity, non-carrier-added (n.c.a.) Actinium-225 (Ac-225) into its proprietary Phospholipid Ether (PLE) delivery platform, broadening the platform’s capacity to develop a diverse range of radiotherapeutic molecules.
Cellectar Biosciences is a late-stage clinical biopharmaceutical company specializing in the discovery, development, and commercialization of cancer treatments. NorthStar is renowned for its global contributions to the production and commercialization of radiopharmaceuticals used in medical imaging and therapeutic applications.
Expanding Radiotherapeutic Horizons
“Our PLE platform uniquely optimizes the delivery of various radioisotopes and can be tailored to target specific tumor types,” said James Caruso, President and CEO of Cellectar Biosciences. “Our lead alpha-emitter program, CLR 121225, leverages Ac-225 and has shown promising preclinical efficacy in pancreatic, triple-negative breast, and other solid tumors, paving the way for clinical development.
“We aim to begin human clinical trials for CLR 121225 in 2025 as part of our broader strategy to introduce first- and best-in-class radiotherapeutics to the market. This agreement with NorthStar secures a reliable supply of Ac-225, a critical component for advancing our clinical programs.”
Tackling Unmet Needs with Reliable Innovation
Frank Scholz, President and CEO of NorthStar, highlighted the potential of Cellectar’s radiotherapeutics in addressing devastating diseases such as pancreatic cancer. “Cellectar’s targeted alpha therapies (TATs), including CLR 121225, have shown great promise in preclinical studies for conditions that lack effective treatments.
“Interest in alpha-emitting radiotherapies has surged in recent years, but progress has often been hindered by the limited availability of Ac-225. At NorthStar, we are committed to overcoming these barriers by providing companies like Cellectar with a dependable, environmentally preferred supply of high-purity Ac-225 to support the development of transformative therapies.”
This collaboration aims to advance CLR 121225 into a Phase 1 clinical trial in 2025, representing a significant step toward delivering innovative radiotherapeutics to patients in need. By combining NorthStar’s expertise in radioisotope production with Cellectar’s PLE platform, the partnership seeks to redefine the future of cancer treatment.
