The technology incorporates derivatives of thapsigargin, the active ingredient in GenSpera’s therapeutics program, coupled with its patented tumor-targeted peptides, to create cancer-specific imaging compounds.
GenSpera said that when the technology has been used in conjunction with standard imaging modalities, such as positron emission tomography (PET) or single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), it allows for the detection and monitoring of tumors that have accumulated the imaging compound.
Craig Dionne, chairman and CEO of GenSpera, said: “The acquisition of this intellectual property allows GenSpera to extend its current expertise in thapsigargin chemistry to medical imaging modalities and complements our existing business.
“The GenSpera cancer imaging platform has the potential to dramatically improve the ability of oncologists to assess the extent of disease and monitor the ongoing progress of cancer treatments.”
Soren Brogger Christensen, professor of pharmacognosy at the University of Copenhagen and co-inventor of the technology, said: “These thapsigargin derivatives are a natural extension of our work with G-202 and G-115, the lead cancer drugs in GenSpera’s pipeline.”
