Fusion Pharmaceuticals Announces Research Collaboration with Pepscan to Develop Peptide-Based Radiopharmaceuticals

Rhea-AI Summary

Fusion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: FUSN), a clinical-stage oncology company, announced a strategic research collaboration with Pepscan Therapeutics B.V. to discover novel peptide-based radiopharmaceuticals targeting solid tumors. This collaboration grants Fusion global rights to develop and commercialize any peptides discovered. Fusion aims to leverage its internal capabilities and Pepscan's proprietary platform for peptide discovery, enhancing its pipeline of targeted alpha therapies (TATs). Notably, Fusion's lead program, FPI-1434, is currently in Phase 1 clinical trials targeting the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor.

Positive

• Strategic collaboration with Pepscan enhances Fusion's peptide-based radiopharmaceutical pipeline.
• Fusion retains global rights for the commercialization of peptides discovered through this collaboration.
• Fusion's lead program, FPI-1434, is already in Phase 1 clinical trials.

Negative

• None.

HAMILTON, ON and BOSTON, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Fusion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: FUSN), a clinical-stage oncology company focused on developing next-generation radiopharmaceuticals as precision medicines, today announced the company has entered into a strategic research collaboration with Pepscan Therapeutics B.V. (Pepscan) to discover novel, peptide-based radiopharmaceuticals for the treatment of various solid tumors.

"Fusion's internal research and develop capabilities combined with expertise in radiopharmaceuticals allow us to create novel targeted alpha therapies (TATs) using a variety of classes of targeting molecules, including antibodies, small molecules and peptides – all of which have been used successfully in radiopharmaceutical development," said Fusion Chief Executive Officer John Valliant, Ph.D. "We are pleased to work with Pepscan who has a proprietary platform for peptide discovery that will enable us to create novel, peptide-based targeted alpha therapies (TATs), further augementing our pipeline of radiopharmaceuticals."

Under the agreement, Fusion has global rights to develop and commercialize any peptides discovered under the collaboration.

About Fusion

Fusion Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage oncology company focused on developing next-generation radiopharmaceuticals as precision medicines. Employing a proprietary Fast-Clear™ linker technology, Fusion connects alpha particle emitting isotopes to various targeting molecules in order to selectively deliver the alpha emitting payloads to tumors.

Fusion's lead program, FPI-1434 targeting insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor, is currently in a Phase 1 clinical trial. The pipeline includes FPI-1966 targeting the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) and FPI-2059, a small molecule recently acquired from Ipsen, targeting neurotensin receptor 1 (NTSR1). In addition to a robust proprietary pipeline, Fusion has a collaboration with AstraZeneca to jointly develop up to three novel targeted alpha therapies (TATs) and explore up to five combination programs between Fusion's TATs and AstraZeneca's DNA Damage Repair Inhibitors (DDRis) and immuno-oncology agents. Fusion also entered into a collaboration with Merck to evaluate FPI-1434 in combination with Merck's KEYTRUDA^® (pembrolizumab) in patients with solid tumors expressing IGF-1R.

About Pepscan

Pepscan is an all-in-one partner in peptides, building on 25 years of experience in advancing and applying peptide expertise to facilitate customers in the development and production of peptides. At its end-to-end facility in Lelystad, the Netherlands, Pepscan offers a range of patented technologies, phage display capabilities, a lead-optimization array platform, and production facilities for R&D- to GMP-grade peptides, including libraries and neoantigen vaccines. Among its patents is the CLIPS™ technology, which locks peptides into active conformations.

Pepscan has a proven track record in the field of radiopharmaceuticals and synthesized precursors for radiolabeled peptides suitable for a wider range of applications. Its unique CLIPS™ phage display platform screens libraries with billions of different peptides and enables the discovery of highly constrained de novo peptides with enhanced affinities, selectivities and proteolytic stabilities. Next to the peptides emerging from the discovery platform, Pepscan has successfully produced radiopharmaceutical peptides at GMP grade as developed by customers themselves.

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SOURCE Fusion Pharmaceuticals Inc.

FAQ

What is the purpose of the collaboration between Fusion Pharmaceuticals and Pepscan?

The collaboration aims to discover novel peptide-based radiopharmaceuticals for treating various solid tumors.

What rights does Fusion Pharmaceuticals have in the Pepscan collaboration?

Fusion Pharmaceuticals has global rights to develop and commercialize any peptides discovered under the collaboration.

What is Fusion Pharmaceuticals' lead program currently focused on?

Fusion's lead program, FPI-1434, targets the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor and is in a Phase 1 clinical trial.

What are targeted alpha therapies (TATs) in relation to Fusion Pharmaceuticals?

Targeted alpha therapies (TATs) are a form of radiopharmaceuticals aimed at selectively delivering alpha-emitting isotopes to tumors, which Fusion is developing in collaboration with Pepscan.

When was the collaboration between Fusion Pharmaceuticals and Pepscan announced?

The collaboration was announced on January 11, 2022.