WILMETTE, Ill. - Monopar Therapeutics Inc . (NASDAQ:MNPR), a biopharmaceutical company specializing in cancer treatment development, has initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial for its novel imaging agent MNPR-101-Zr, intended for patients with advanced cancers. The trial is currently recruiting participants at the Melbourne Theranostic Innovation Centre (MTIC) in Australia.
MNPR-101-Zr is an antibody conjugated to zirconium-89 that targets the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), commonly found on various tumor types such as pancreatic, breast, colorectal, and bladder cancers. The study, led by Professor Rodney Hicks, will employ the Siemens Biograph Vision Quadra, one of the most sensitive clinical total-body PET/CT scanners available, to evaluate the agent's tumor-targeting capabilities.
The trial aims to assess the safety and dosimetry of MNPR-101-Zr in up to 12 patients. Preclinical studies have shown that MNPR-101-Zr achieves highly specific and durable tumor uptake in human cancer xenograft models. Positive preclinical efficacy data also indicated the potential of MNPR-101 bound to therapeutic radioisotopes for treating tumors.
Chandler Robinson, MD, CEO of Monopar, expressed optimism about the trial, highlighting the promising preclinical results in hard-to-treat cancers and the company's anticipation of the first-in-human study data. If the Phase 1 trial's results are favorable, Monopar plans to expand the study or initiate a new trial to test MNPR-101 bound to therapeutic radioisotopes like Ac-225.
The trial's progress and further information can be found on ClinicalTrials.gov under study identifier NCT06337084. Monopar's pipeline also includes camsirubicin for advanced soft tissue sarcoma and the early-stage camsirubicin analog MNPR-202.
This article is based on a press release statement from Monopar Therapeutics Inc.
InvestingPro Insights
As Monopar Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:MNPR) forges ahead with its Phase 1 clinical trial for MNPR-101-Zr, investors and stakeholders are closely monitoring the company's financial health and stock performance. According to InvestingPro Data, Monopar's market capitalization stands at a modest 10.31 million USD. The company's price-to-book ratio as of the last twelve months ending Q4 2023 is 1.85, suggesting that the stock is trading at a premium relative to the company's book value. This metric might be of interest to value investors considering the company's assets in relation to its market valuation.
Despite the challenges in profitability, with an adjusted P/E ratio of -1.23 indicating that the company is not currently generating profits, Monopar's stock has experienced a strong return over the last three months, with a price total return of 35.73%. This could signal to investors that while the company is in its developmental phase and not yet profitable, there is optimism surrounding its growth prospects and experimental treatments.
Reflecting on the InvestingPro Tips for MNPR, two points stand out. Firstly, Monopar is recognized for holding more cash than debt on its balance sheet, a factor that could provide financial flexibility and stability as it continues to invest in clinical trials. Secondly, the stock is known for high price volatility, which may attract traders looking for short-term opportunities but also suggests a need for caution among long-term investors. Additional insights are available on InvestingPro, with a total of 9 tips for MNPR, offering a comprehensive analysis for those considering an investment in the biopharmaceutical sector.
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