Radiopharmaceuticals precisely target tumours while sparing healthy tissue
The Start Centre for Cancer Research (Start), its preclinical division XenoStart, and Minerva Imaging have expanded their decade-long partnership to establish a comprehensive integrated platform for radiopharmaceutical drug development.
This collaboration combines XenoStart's repository of clinically annotated patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models with Minerva Imaging's advanced molecular imaging and radionuclide therapy expertise, forming a single-source solution for discovery, translational research, and manufacturing.
Radiopharmaceuticals are redefining cancer treatment by precisely targeting tumours while sparing healthy tissue. In metastatic prostate cancer, these therapies are altering standards of care and are being explored in earlier disease stages and in other high-burden indications, including breast and neuroendocrine tumours. This expansion highlights the need for robust, translational platforms that can shorten timelines and mitigate development risks.
Nick Slack, MBE, Chairman and CEO of Start, said, "By combining XenoStart's deep expertise in clinically annotated PDX models with Minerva Imaging's state-of-the-art facilities for radiopharmaceutical drug development, we are delivering the gold standard in translational oncology research to target cancers such as prostate. For sponsors, this means faster, smarter, and more predictable development of life-changing therapies that ultimately bring positive impact to patients who need them most."
Minerva Imaging acts as a fully integrated CRO and CDMO specialised in radiopharmaceuticals. It supplies comprehensive imaging modalities (PET/CT, SPECT/CT, MRI), advanced orthotopic in-vivo models, and GMP-certified manufacturing infrastructure for radiopharmaceuticals. This integration enables the precise validation of therapeutic mechanisms and facilitates the seamless progression of candidates from preclinical evaluation to clinical translation.
Carsten H. Nielsen, co-founder and CEO of Minerva Imaging, said, "Our mission is to accelerate the development of novel radiopharmaceuticals through advanced imaging, radionuclide therapy expertise, and GMP manufacturing. By strengthening our collaboration with XenoStart and Start, we are creating a powerful translational bridge for collaborators to move promising therapies from bench to bedside with unprecedented speed and confidence."
XenoStart's PDX models are uniquely differentiated, derived from tissue obtained from patients treated across Start's global network. These models ensure representation of the most clinically relevant disease states and capture resistance patterns and treatment histories that mirror real-world patient populations.
Michael Wick, chief scientific officer of XenoStart, said, "XenoStart provides the most predictive preclinical platform in the industry. Expanding our work with Minerva Imaging ensures that sponsors benefit from seamless integration of these models with advanced radiopharmaceutical development, particularly in prostate cancer, where the clinical need is acute."
