Cellectar is a radiopharmaceutical company that designs and develops products to detect, treat and monitor a wide variety of human cancers

Cellectar

lead compound for cancer therapy, and it is currently in the pre-clinical stage. Cellectar will focus initially on therapeutic indications for CLR1404. The selection of CLR1404 as a viable diagnostic agent was based on early laboratory research on phospholipid ether analogs (PLEs) conducted by Dr. Jamey Weichert at the University of Michigan in the lab of Dr. Ray Counsell. This early work was then expanded by Dr. Weichert and team at the University of Michigan and at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Cellectar holds an exclusive license to related intellectual property from the University of Michigan.

Empirical evidence has shown that PLEs and their analogs (similar, synthetic compounds) become trapped in tumor cell membranes because the tumor cells cannot metabolize and eliminate them. Normal cells, however, appear to metabolize and clear these compounds.

Our scientists have based the development of their proprietary PLE analog compounds on extensive medicinal chemistry experimentation. Idophenyl phospholipid ether analogs are specifically designed so that the radioiodine affixed to each molecule is stable to in-vivo de-iodination. Extensive structure activity relationship studies with over 30 radioiodinated PLE analogs have shown that any chemical modification of the phosphocholine moiety or shortening the chain length of the Iodophenylalkyl moiety to less than 8 methylenes resulted in little or no malignant tumor uptake. Results of these experiments are detailed in a recent publication in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry: Pinchuck, etal 49:2155-2165 (2006).

Cellectar

produces its PLE analog small molecule compounds by chemical organic synthesis.
In pre-clinical studies, CLR1404 has selectively accumulated in more than 45 tumor types tested. Click here for the full list of xenograft and spontaneous human and rodent tumor models tested. Previous investigator-sponsored clinical trials have already shown that CLR1404 can be safely administered to humans and that CLR1404 accumulates in human NSCLC tumors, confirming preclinical results.
 

Cellectar

began independent lab activities in February 2003 after forming a company and raising initial funds in the 2000-2002 timeframe. Our product candidates combine phospholipid ethers analogs (PLEs), which are lipid-like molecules, with radioisotopes that destroy or image malignant cancer cells. Because only malignant tumor cells and tissues retain large amounts of these compounds, malignant cancer-selective retention of therapeutic or diagnostic doses of radioactivity can be achieved. To date, Cellectar has demonstrated specific uptake and retention of its product candidates in more than 45 tumor types tested in proof-of-principle preclinical animal studies. In addition, nine preclinical experiments have shown anti-tumor activity in each tumor type studied including breast, prostate, lung, glioma, pancreatic, melanoma, ovarian, renal and colorectal cancers. The compound, originally known as NM404, is being taken through the regulatory process as CLR1404.

Capitalizing on the unique characteristics of malignant cancer cells, Cellectar's molecules will be designed to "find, treat and follow"” malignancies through the delivery of radiopharmaceuticals in a novel, highly selective way. .

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Address: 7120 E. Orchard Rd., Suite 350 Centennial, Colorado 80111
Phone: 303-689-9693
E-mail: info@cellpointweb.com