Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd. invests in Alpha Fusion Inc., developer of Astatine based radiopharmaceuticals for Targeted Alpha Therapy

Rhea-AI Summary

Sumitomo Heavy Industries has announced a strategic investment in Alpha Fusion Inc., a company focused on developing Astatine-based radiopharmaceuticals for Targeted Alpha Therapy (TAT). This investment aims to progress Alpha Fusion's pipeline, particularly in the mass production of Astatine-211, crucial for TAT's effectiveness in treating cancer. The technology leveraged includes particle accelerators and radio-isotope labeled compounds, which could significantly advance cancer treatment methods. Ongoing clinical trials in Japan for various cancer types are expected to enhance the prospects for TAT as a leading cancer therapy.

Positive

• Strategic investment in Alpha Fusion Inc. to enhance cancer treatment.
• Support for mass production of Astatine-211, crucial for TAT.
• Ongoing clinical trials in Japan targeting differentiated thyroid cancer and pheochromocytoma.

Negative

• None.

TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd. (“SHI”) (TOKYO:6302) (Head Office: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, President and CEO: Shinji Shimomura) announced the decision to invest in Alpha Fusion Inc. (“AF”) (Head Office: Kita-ku, Osaka, Chief Executive Officer: Sunao Fujioka), a developer of Astatine based radiopharmaceuticals for Targeted Alpha Therapy (“TAT”).

Image Diagram of TAT (Graphic: Business Wire)

AF will aim at establishing their pipeline (*1). Development of their radiopharmaceuticals is expected to be progressed by this funding and will lead more needs of Astatine-211. SHI is joining a new project led by Osaka University for mass production of Astatine-211 and will contribute for the development of the TAT, which is expected to be a future advanced medicine, with our technology of particle accelerators and a synthesis of radio-isotope (RI) labeled compounds.

TAT and Astatine-211

TAT is a treatment that destroys cancer cells in the human body by injecting alpha emitting RI labeled candidate which selectively targets to cancer cells. Astatine-211 (211At, Atomic number 85, Half life time 7.2H) is an element belonging to halogens and has the property of emitting alpha particle. Due to no stable isotopes in nature, their properties have not been fully elucidated so far. However, it's getting attention in accordance with recent development of a nuclear medicine treatment and/or a theranostics (a new term combinated of therapy and diagnostic). Clinical studies had been already conducted in U.S. and Sweden etc. because of the advantages which is different from other approved RIs (177Lu, 223Ra, or 131I). The advantages are; stable production using naturally abundant bismuth (209Bi) with a relatively low-energy particle accelerator (cyclotron), short half-life time as 7.2 hours, and direct chemical formation with basic structure of candidates which conjugate with the disease target site.

In Japan, investigator-initiated clinical trials targeting differentiated thyroid cancer (jRCT2051210144) at Osaka University and pheochromocytoma paraganglioma (jRCT2021220012) at Fukushima Medical University have started and further progress is highly expected.

Alpha Fusion Inc.

AF is a startup company who is conducting a social implementation of Astatine-211 based on drug discovery transferred research results of Osaka university funded by Program on Open Innovation Platform with Enterprises, Research Institute and Achademia (OPERA) promoted by Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST). In the field of targeted alpha therapy, which has been rapidly attracting worldwide attention in recent years, Mission of the company is to let the Astatine drug development out by using its originality from Japan in the field of TAT that is rapidly attracting worldwide attention. AF aims to lead this innovative modality into the basic of cancer treatment and are aiming at the practical application of new cancer treatment by proceeding with pipeline research and development to business development on a world-class level.

Company Profile
Alpha Fusion Inc.	Head office	2-5-13, Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka, Japan
	Board of director	CEO, Sunao Fujioka
	Business domain	Technical research, drug discovery development, and business development of astatine-introduced compounds into a wide range of small molecules and antibodies, including Sodium astatide
	Capital	251 MJPY
	Web site	https://alpha-fusion.com/

(*1) Pipelines of AF are followings. Please refer to the URL for detail.
• Pipeline 1 : Drug for thyroid cancer
(Under Phase I clinical trial : https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000001.000091191.html)
• Pipeline 2 : Drug for prostate cancer
(Preparing for clinical trial in next year : https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000003.000091191.html)
• Other 4 drugs are under development and preparing for a patent application for the basic technology

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230308005372/en/

Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd., Corporate Communication Department, +81-3-6737-2332

Alpha Fusion Inc., info@alpha-fusion.com

Source: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.

FAQ

What recent investment did Sumitomo Heavy Industries make?

Sumitomo Heavy Industries invested in Alpha Fusion Inc., focused on Astatine-based radiopharmaceuticals.

What is Targeted Alpha Therapy?

Targeted Alpha Therapy (TAT) is a treatment that destroys cancer cells using alpha-emitting radiopharmaceuticals.

How does Astatine-211 contribute to cancer treatment?

Astatine-211 is used in TAT to selectively target and destroy cancer cells, enhancing treatment efficacy.

What clinical trials are underway related to this investment?

Clinical trials targeting differentiated thyroid cancer and pheochromocytoma are currently being conducted in Japan.

What is the significance of the investment in Alpha Fusion Inc.?

The investment supports the development of new cancer treatments and the advancement of TAT technology.