Yttrium Y 90-labeled basiliximab(NCI)

Glycotope’s target discovery unit acquisition will double Pentixapharm’s development pipeline, according to the company’s CEO. Image Credit: Vitalii Vodolazskyi / Shutterstock. German radiopharmaceutical biotech Pentixapharm has acquired Germany-based Glycotope’s target discovery unit for an undisclosed sum to expand its oncology pipeline. Pentixapharm plans to turn the preclinical antibodies against multiple cancer targets into radiopharmaceuticals. In addition to the preclinical assets, the company added Glycotope’s laboratories, cell banks, tumour target database, and equipment to its portfolio. “The acquisition will broaden Pentixapharm’s Intellectual Property portfolio beyond the one built around the CXCR4 receptor. This will immediately double the development pipeline and significantly expand the associated business and clinical development opportunities,” explained Pentixapharm CEO Hakim Bouterfa. “Glycotope’s pipeline comprises several candidates that can be used immediately for proof-of-concept studies as next-generation radiopharmaceuticals. We look forward to maximising the synergy of Pentixapharm’s know-how and Glycotope’s target discovery for the benefit of patients in both diagnostics and therapeutic applications.” Pentatixapharm’s clinical pipeline consists of PentixaTher, a Yttrium-90-based treatment for central nervous system lymphoma. The radiotherapy is being evaluated in an open-label Phase I/II dose-finding trial (NCT06132737). The company is also developing a companion diagnostic for PentixaTher, called PentixaFor. The diagnostic is being trialled in a Phase III trial (NCT06125028) for staging of marginal zone lymphoma, a subtype of non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphoma. See Also: Roche gains FDA approval for Vabysmo prefilled syringe Aflibercept biosimilar by Lupin for Wet (Neovascular / Exudative) Macular Degeneration: Likelihood of Approval The acquisition will also see around 40 of Glycotope’s staff, including executives, R&D specialists, and administrators, added to Pentixapharm’s employment. While Pentixapharm is currently owned by Eckert & Ziegler (EZAG), a company specialising in providing isotope-related components for medical, scientific and industrial use, it plans to detach from EZAG and list on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Radiopharmaceuticals have been an area of interest in the past few years, attracting significant investment and acquisitions. Eli Lilly has signed two high-profile deals for radiopharmaceuticals; a $140m partnership with Radionetics Oncology and a discovery collaboration agreement with Aktis Oncology potentially worth over $1.7bn. Bristol Myers Squibb also jumped on the radiopharmaceuticals trend and paid $4.2bn to acquire RayzeBio . Novartis also shelled out $1.75bn and purchased US-based Mariana Oncology. AstraZeneca also started its radiopharmaceutical pipeline with a $2.4bn acquisition of Fusion Pharmaceuticals in March this year.