Technology
The Powerful Science Behind SolaranRx
There are no curative treatments for metastatic melanoma. The only options currently on the market have significant potential for severe side effects, benefit a small subset of patients and are very costly. SolaranRx seeks to change this situation with a proprietary peptide technology platform that creates a novel clinical approach intended to improve patient’s lives and disease prognosis.
A bolus injection of the SolaranRx’s proprietary radiolabeled peptide specifically binds to melanocortin-1 (MC1) receptors on the surface of melanoma cells to identify patients suitable for treatment and delivering targeted radiation to receptor-expressing tumors.
The science behind SolaranRx is powerful; we combine commercially available radionuclides with our novel peptides that specifically bind to the melanocortin-1 (MC1) receptor present on about 80 percent of human metastatic melanoma samples. The peptide is linked to an imaging or therapeutic radionuclide allowing clinicians to select patients for treatment, deliver targeted radiation, and monitor patient response. Therapy and diagnostics are thus merged creating a unique Precision Theranostic Platform™ for malignant melanoma.
Pre-clinical testing has yielded promising results. The peptide technology has been optimized at both the University of New Mexico and the University of Missouri with in vivo proof of concept demonstrated in melanoma mouse models, including a successful therapeutic study using a human melanoma cell line. Imaging studies in mice demonstrate highly specific peptide targeting to melanoma cells—even in cases of very small metastases—and clear visualization of tumor location. Five therapeutic and diagnostic radionuclides combined with SolaranRx’s lead peptide demonstrated superior tumor uptake, rapid urinary excretion, and reduced renal retention in melanoma mouse models.
Therapeutic studies in mice demonstrate substantial reductions in tumor size and prolonged survival without evidence of radiation-related toxicity. The technology demonstrates clear identification of MC1 receptors on tumor cells and leverages this molecular target to deliver a highly therapeutic drug with low side effects.
While no radiopharmaceuticals or peptides have been approved for melanoma therapy; the concept has been validated with other forms of cancer treatment. SolaranRx seeks to be the first to offer this technology as a treatment option for metastatic melanoma.
Lead Product: SRX-1177
SolaranRx’s lead product, SRX-1177, will be injected at low doses to identify MC1 receptors on tumors using a standard imaging procedure. Patients showing the presence of MC1 receptors will be injected with therapeutic doses delivering targeted, localized radiation to selectively kill melanoma cells, while minimizing effects on healthy tissues. A biodistribution study in an accepted melanoma mouse model shows high tumor uptake, fast urinary clearance, no off target effects, and clear visualization of tumors.
The FDA has granted Orphan Drug designation to SRX-1177 for the treatment of stage IIB to IV malignant melanoma. This provides numerous benefits and strong incentives supporting development and commercialization.