Nihon Medi-Physics Accelerates "Theranostics" Development
TOKYO, Oct. 11, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Nihon Medi-Physics (NMP), the leading radiopharmaceutical company in Japan, announced the completion of its new research facility on September 10, 2019. NMP invested JPY3.3Billion for the construction.
NMP is accelerating strategic plans and processes to establish Theranostics*1, the fusion of therapeutics and diagnostics. NMP utilizes multiple techniques to arrive at a comprehensive image/therapy regime for cancer patients using a common molecule, such as an antibody or a peptide, to function as a Drug Delivery System (DDS) *2. In this concept, therapeutic and diagnostic agents can be concurrently developed by changing the radioisotopes labeled with the common molecule; for instance alpha emitters*3 such as Actinium-225 (225Ac) for therapeutic agent and gamma emitters such as Zirconium-89 (89Zr) for diagnostic one
The new site will play an indispensable role in the development of new drugs within the Theranostics concept based on exploratory research, through to investigational new drug manufacturing under a GMP compliant environment. In radiopharmaceutical research with alpha-emitters such as 225Ac, NMP's new site is the first in Japan with this capacity.
NMP has been advancing this research theme which was funded by the second Cyclic Innovation for Clinical Empowerment (CICLE*4) initiative organized and managed by the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED). To accelerate Theranostics, NMP is actively pursuing invitation-based collaborations and alliances with academic and private organizations in and outside Japan. At the same time, NMP utilizes its distinguished skills to handle radionuclides cultivated through NMP's long-standing experience in the radiopharmaceutical business.
Sources
*1: Theranostics: A term to denote the fusion of therapeutics and diagnostics.
*2: Drug Delivery System: Engineering technologies and systems that deliver a drug in minimum quantity to the targeted organ or tissue, etc., with the right timing, by controlling the pharmacokinetics of the drug so that the maximum outcome can be obtained.
*3: Alpha emitters: In comparison to other types of radiation, alpha emitters are effective in destroying targeted cancer cells. At the same time, their short path length in human tissue minimizes irradiation of surrounding healthy tissues. Therefore, alpha emitters like 225Ac are attracting a lot of attention globally as radionuclides in applications for cancer treatment.
*4: CiCLE: One of the grant programs promoted by the Japan Agency for Medical Research (AMED) for the establishment of infrastructure to respond to medical needs, the creation of an environment for open innovation, and venture development based on industry-academia government collaboration. See AMED website for more information: https://www.amed.go.jp/en/program/list/07/01/001.html
Nihon Medi-Physics Co., Ltd.
Nihon Medi-Physics Co., Ltd. (NMP) is a leading company for radiopharmaceuticals in Japan, engaged in R&D, manufacturing, and distribution. NMP's stable and reliable supply of quality products has contributed to society over the years. With continuous challenges to new business opportunities in the "Development of Theranostics", "Application of digital technology in healthcare" and "Expansion of radiopharmaceutical business in Asia", NMP anticipates to further contribute to the health and well-being of societies into the future.
Contacts
Tokyo
General Affairs Group
Corporate Communication
Nihon Medi-Physics Co., Ltd.
3-4-10, Shinsuna, Koto-ku, Tokyo
136-0075
Office: +81.3.5634.7006
E-mail: nmp_press@nmp.co.jp
Website: https://www.nmp.co.jp/eng
New York City
Tsutomu Abe, Ph.D.
Manager, Technical Representative
Sumitomo Chemical America Inc.
150 East 42nd Street, Suite 701
New York, NY 10017
Office: +1.212.572.8211
E-mail: tabe@sumichem.com
SOURCE Nihon Medi-Physics