Telix versus Starpharma radiotheranostics

It makes a big difference when you can sell a product

You just have to look at Telix with a current market cap of $8.5 billion


Starpharma's DEP® radiotheranostics platform offers several advantages over traditional approaches like small molecules or antibodies, particularly in delivering targeted radiopharmaceuticals. DEP® dendrimers can be tailored to enhance tumor penetration, retention, and pharmacokinetics, while also offering flexible targeting and payload presentation. This contrasts with the limitations of small molecules and large antibodies, which may struggle with excessive kidney clearance or long blood circulation times.

Advantages of DEP® Radiotheranostics:

• Tailorable Characteristics:
  DEP® dendrimers can be customized to optimize size, structure, and other properties for specific therapeutic applications.
  
• Enhanced Tumor Penetration and Retention:
  DEP®'s structure allows for better penetration into tumors and prolonged retention, leading to higher drug concentrations at the tumor site.
  
• Flexibility in Targeting:
  DEP® can be used with various targeting moieties, including bi- and multi-specific options, enabling multivalent targeting and payload presentation.
  
• Improved Pharmacokinetics:
  DEP® allows for tuneable solubility and pharmacokinetics, as well as plasma and kidney clearance, which can be beneficial for targeted therapies.
  
• Reduced Off-Target Toxicities:
  By enhancing tumor-specific delivery, DEP® can reduce the risk of off-target effects and side effects.
  
• Broad Applicability:
  The DEP® platform can be applied across different therapeutic areas, including oncology and infectious diseases, making it a versatile tool for drug development.
  

Compared to Traditional Approaches:

• Small Molecules:
  Small molecules can be limited by poor solubility and rapid clearance, while DEP® offers better control over these parameters.
• Antibodies:
  Antibodies, while effective in targeting, can have challenges with penetration into tumors and may be less versatile than DEP®'s flexible targeting capabilities.
  

In essence, Starpharma's DEP® platform offers a more adaptable and potentially more effective approach to radiotheranostics compared to traditional methods, with the potential to improve efficacy and reduce side effects.


Starpharma and Telix both specialize in radiotheranostics, but they have distinct differences in their technologies and approaches. Starpharma utilizes the DEP® (dendrimer enhanced product) platform for drug delivery, focusing on targeted radiotherapeutics for solid tumors. Telix develops targeted radiation therapies, often paired with diagnostic imaging agents, and focuses on areas with high unmet medical need.

Here's a more detailed comparison:

• Technology:
  
  • Starpharma: Uses its proprietary DEP® platform, a dendrimer-based drug delivery system, to enhance the effectiveness and delivery of pharmaceutical drugs, including targeted radiotherapeutics.
    
  • Telix: Develops targeted radiation therapies, often combining them with diagnostic imaging agents.
    
• Targeted Therapies:
  • Starpharma: Focuses on solid tumors, particularly those expressing HER2.
    
  • Telix: Addresses various unmet medical needs, including prostate cancer and other tumor types.
    
• Specific Products:
  • Starpharma: Has a portfolio of clinical-stage oncology products using DEP® technology and some marketed products like VIRALEZE™.
    
  • Telix: Develops products like Illuccix radiodiagnostic for prostate cancer and other targeted radiotherapeutics.
    
• Clinical Programs:
  • Starpharma: Has clinically validated its DEP® platform through multiple clinical programs, including those using different drug classes.
    
  • Telix: Similarly, has clinical programs focused on its radiotheranostics approach.

Telix and Starpharma are both involved in the development and commercialization of radiotheranostics, a field focused on targeted therapies using radioactive molecules for both imaging and treating tumors. They are both commercial-stage companies, with Telix focused on commercializing radiotheranostics for various cancers and Starpharma developing a range of dendrimer-based radiotheranostic products.

Here's a more detailed comparison:

• Telix Pharmaceuticals:
  • A commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company with a focus on radiotheranostics.
    
  • Developing and commercializing radiotheranostic products for various cancers, including prostate cancer (Illuccix).
    
  • Has strong financial results, including revenue reaching A$783m in 2024.
    
  • Headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, with operations in the US, Europe, and Japan.
    
• Starpharma:
  • A company focused on developing dendrimer-enhanced products (DEP® for radiotheranostics.
    
  • Has three clinical-stage DEP assets, preclinical radiopharmaceutical assets, and research collaborations.
    
  • Recently reported data on DEP HER2-zirconium and DEP HER2-lutetium, demonstrating their efficacy in HER-2 positive breast cancer models.
    

Key Differences:

• Focus:
  Telix is more broadly focused on commercializing radiotheranostics for various cancer types, while Starpharma is more focused on developing and commercializing its DEP platform.
  
• Stage:
  Telix is further along in the commercialization process with products like Illuccix already approved and generating revenue. Starpharma's products are still in clinical and preclinical stages.
  
• Technology:
  Telix primarily uses its own radiopharmaceutical technology, while Starpharma focuses on its DEP platform, which is a dendrimer-based technology.
  

In essence, both Telix and Starpharma are significant players in the radiotheranostics field, with Telix being further along in commercialization and Starpharma focusing on developing new technologies and expanding its pipeline.