The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in the US, and South Korea-based startup C-Biomex have announced a strategic research collaboration agreement to co-develop CBT-001, a radioligand targeting the CA9 cancer biomarker. 

This collaboration brings together MD Anderson’s expertise in translational radiopharmaceutical research with C-Biomex’s differentiated radioligand. The principal investigator for this project is Dr H. Charles Manning, professor of Cancer Systems Imaging and director of the Cyclotron Radiochemistry Facility at MD Anderson.

Under the agreement, MD Anderson and C-Biomex plan to conduct preclinical studies of CBT-001 to evaluate its potential for translation into early-phase clinical studies and to support an anticipated Investigational New Drug (IND) application with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

CBT-001 is a radiolabeled isotope (Lutetium-177) attached to a proprietary peptide-ligand targeting CA9 (carbonic anhydrase 9), a biomarker overexpressed in various cancers, including renal, breast and lung cancers. CBT-001’s differentiated early-stage data, generated by C-Biomex in collaboration with the Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, represents a strong foundation for this collaborative research.

The key to success with this type of molecule is specific delivery to the tumour and rapid clearance, with minimal accumulation in healthy cells. Through this research, the collaborators will evaluate systemic and tumour-specific uptake of CBT-001 as well as antitumour efficacy and toxicology in preclinical models.