- Target
- R&D
- Imaging
- Dosimetry
- PH I/II
PSMA
The prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a transmembrane glutamate carboxypeptidase that is strongly expressed in prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is the fourth most common cancer worldwide, and there are more than 250,000 new cases each year in the US. Metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer is associated with a 5-year survival rate of less than 30%. Alpha-9 is evaluating novel pharmacophores that have the potential for improved safety and efficacy profiles.
MC1R
The melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) is a G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that is overexpressed in melanoma. Every year, ~100,000 new cases of melanomas are diagnosed in the US. Metastatic melanoma is a very aggressive disease with a 5-year survival rate of 30%. Alpha-9 has developed promising MC1R-targeting radiopharmaceuticals using cyclic peptide scaffolds that are derivatives of the endogenous ligand.
CXCR4
The C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) is a GPCR that is overexpressed in solid tumors as well as hematological cancers, including multiple myeloma and several sub-types of leukemias and lymphomas. Alpha-9 is developing peptide-based inhibitors with improved tumor uptake and retention to maximize isotope delivery to CXCR4-expressing cancers.
B1R
The bradykinin B1 receptor (B1R) is a GPCR that has minimal expression in normal tissues. B1R is overexpressed in various solid malignancies, including prostate, lung, or breast cancers. The endogenous hormone has a half-life of minutes and Alpha-9 has developed stable and potent first-in-class radiopharmaceuticals with high sensitivity and selectivity.
GRPR
The gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) is a GPCR that is overexpressed by several tumor types including lung, colon, brain, prostate, and breast cancers. Alpha-9 has developed a series of molecules with improved stability and tumor uptake compared to historical scaffolds.
Undisclosed (multiple)
Additional early-stage programs that are being advanced into R&D.