Health system teams up with radiopharmaceutical specialist to advance PSMA imaging
Melbourne, Australia-based Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited and Kettering Health are collaborating on a project to expand the use of molecular imaging and therapeutic agents across its networks.
The pair announced their memorandum of understanding agreement on Tuesday, Sept. 7. As part of the MOU, Telix and Kettering—a faith-based network of hospitals, outpatient clinics and emergency centers—intends to develop and roll out radiopharmaceutical imaging agents and theranostics across southwest Ohio.
Initially, the focus will be on prostate cancer, with plans to foster Telix’s investigational prostate-specific membrane antigen-targeting radiopharmaceuticals, illuccix. This includes a kit for preparing 68Ga-PSMA-11 injections, diagnostic imaging with PET and Lu-177 PSMA for radioligand therapy.
“We believe PET molecular imaging has the potential to quickly redefine, reimagine and reinvent the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cardiac and other diseases,” Martin Satter, PhD, senior molecular imaging scientist at Kettering Health, said in a statement. “This belief has evolved and crystalized over our 30-year history in PET molecular imaging, and our current re-commitment to this technology including our recent upgrades of a medical cyclotron, radiochemistry lab and clean room, as well as a digital PET/CT scanner.”
The pair also hopes to establish Kettering Health, headquartered at the Kettering Memorial Hospital in Ohio, as a regional center of excellence for PET, theranostics and other molecular imaging exams.
The partners said they plan to develop binding agreements for each aspect of the MOU.
“This is a collaboration that brings together leading industry, technical, academic and clinical resources to further explore the potential of our PSMA-targeting radiopharmaceuticals,” said Bernard Lambert, MD, president of Telix Americas. “It reinforces Telix’s position as a leading innovator in this field, with a commitment to driving forward both clinical development alongside the supply chain, to support the commercialization journey.”
Matt joined Chicago’s TriMed team in 2018 covering all areas of health imaging after two years reporting on the hospital field. He holds a bachelor’s in English from UIC, and enjoys a good cup of coffee and an interesting documentary.