Akiram Therapeutics and ITM Sign Lutetium-177 Supply Agreement to Support Radiopharmaceutical Development for Solid Tumors

Akiram Therapeutics, a Swedish clinical-stage biotechnology company, and ITM Isotope Technologies Munich SE, a German radiopharmaceutical biotechnology company, recently announced the signing of a supply agreement. Under the agreement, ITM will supply no-carrier-added lutetium-177 (nca Lu-177) to Akiram to support the clinical development of its targeted antibody-radionuclide conjugate, 177Lu-AKIR001 (AKIR001).

AKIR001 is Akiram's lead radiopharmaceutical candidate, currently being investigated in clinical studies for the treatment of CD44v6-expressing solid tumors. The candidate combines the therapeutic radioisotope nca Lu-177 with a proprietary antibody targeting CD44v6, a cancer marker associated with various aggressive tumor types. The therapy is designed to deliver radiation more selectively to tumor cells while minimizing radiation exposure to healthy tissues.

Lutetium-177 is one of the most widely used medical radioisotopes in targeted radionuclide therapy and serves as the therapeutic payload of AKIR001. Akiram stated that the supply agreement with ITM helps ensure a continuous supply of this critical isotope needed for the clinical development of AKIR001. Other details of the agreement were not disclosed.

Currently, AKIR001 is being evaluated in a Phase I clinical trial (NCT06639191) at Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden, enrolling patients with unresectable or metastatic CD44v6-positive solid tumors, including lung cancer, head and neck cancer, thyroid cancer, and gynecological tumors.

Marika Nestor, CEO of Akiram Therapeutics, stated that the collaboration with ITM will support the continued clinical development of AKIR001. Dr. Andrew Cavey, CEO of ITM, stated that the company will provide a high-quality source of nca Lu-177 for the relevant clinical trials through its production technology and reliable supply.