Monday, January 30, 2012

Molecular Insight moves pre-trial compound to manufacturing

By Michelle Lang

Molecular Insight Pharmaceuticals Inc. is bringing its small-molecule-based radiopharmaceutical to clinical trials as a potential treatment for metastatic prostate cancer. Plans for the clinical trial of I-131-MIP-1466, expected in 2013, follow the Cambridge biotech’s emergence last May from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to become a restructured company.

Molecular Insight announced the trials plans today, noting that the Centre for Probe Development and Commercialization (CPDC), a non-profit Centre of Excellence for Commercialization and Research in Ontario, Canada, will manufacture the compound. The CPDC discovers, develops and manufactures radiopharmaceuticals. According to the two organizations, the trial will be the first of its kind for a small-molecule-based radiopharmaceutical to target prostate-specific membrane antigen present in prostate tumors.

I-131-MIP-1466, the Molecular Insight compound, is designed to detect prostate cancer and inhibit tumor growth. The company plans to file with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for an Investigational New Drug application, in anticipation of the clinical trial.

Founded in 1997 as Imaging Biopharmaceuticals Inc., Molecular Insight filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in December 2010. It then announced last May that it was emerging from bankruptcy protection as a restructured company.