Probactive Biotech, Dalat Nuclear Research Institute enter agreement to co-develop cancer drugs

Probactive Biotech, Inc., a Garden Grove, California-based corporation, has entered into an agreement with Dalat Nuclear Research Institute to co-develop a number of cancer drugs, utilizing combinations of antitumor antibodies and antitumor radioactive compounds. Antitumor antibodies have the ability to take antitumor compounds directly to the tumor sites within the body.

"We are extremely pleased with this opportunity," said Mr. Ngo, President and CEO of St. Paul Biotech. "There is a thriving pharmaceutical industry in Vietnam, and the Dalat Nuclear Research Institute has been producing radionuclides for medical use for over 30 years. My company in the U.S. has been engaged in developing antitumor antibodies, so this is a natural fit to co-develop these novel drugs."

Probactive Biotech has combined medical-grade Iodine-131 and Yttrium-90 with antitumor antibodies, producing remarkable and targeted anticancer activity. Targeted drug delivery means that healthy cells have little or no exposure to the drug product. Parts of the research and development program will be completed at the Dalat Nuclear Research Institute in Vietnam. The later human clinical trials will be conducted in Vietnam under the regulatory guidelines of the Ministry of Health, and also in compliance with U.S. FDA regulations.

"The competitive landscape for the pharmaceutical industry has changed," added Mr. Ngo. "We can now utilize recognized international science and technological resources to develop advanced biopharmaceuticals for a fraction of the cost usually associated with drug development. The medical and economic benefit from this type of strategic alliance will be significant."

Radiopharmaceuticals are used in the field of nuclear medicine as tracers in the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases. Nuclear medicine is divided into two major areas: diagnostics and therapeutics. The diagnostic side is mature, while the therapeutic side of nuclear medicine is in its infancy. The market for therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals continues to gain momentum with heightened interest in targeted drug delivery.

Industry experts expect huge growth in nuclear therapeutics, and that smaller radiopharmaceutical companies will play a very important role in designing therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals.