The Centre for Probe Development and Commercialization (CPDC) at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, announces that it has licensed the Centyrin® platform from Janssen Biotech, Inc. for exclusive use in combination with its radiopharmaceutical expertise to create novel nuclear imaging probes against immunotherapy drug targets.
Immunotherapy has become one of the most active areas in oncology where there is a need for better diagnostic tools to monitor patient response. Nuclear imaging probes are a special class of molecules that are administered to patients in order to visualize their cancers using non-invasive imaging devices such as PET scanners. Molecular probes can reveal characteristics about the disease that may help physicians select the optimal therapy for a patient and furthermore tell physicians very early on if a treatment is working.
“We are thrilled to combine the targeting and precision tuning capabilities of the Centyrin® platform with our expertise in radiopharmaceutical development to create novel tools with the potential to enhance immunotherapy drug development and further accelerate its use,” says Dr. John Valliant, founder and Chief Executive Officer of CPDC.
About the CPDC
The Centre for Probe Development and Commercialization (CPDC) is a world leader in the development and translation of new diagnostics, notably molecular imaging probes derived from medical isotopes. The CPDC has extensive experience using cyclotrons and innovative chemical methods to create next generation imaging technologies including companion diagnostics to new therapies. CPDC was created with funding from the Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (CECR) program, the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research and several industry partners. See www.imagingprobes.ca for more details.
About McMaster University
McMaster University, one of four Canadian universities listed among the Top 100 universities in the world, is renowned for its innovation in both learning and discovery. It has a student population of 30,000, and more than 170,000 alumni in 137 countries.