Canada to manufacture new therapy for rare tumours

Centre for Probe Development and Commercialization – CPDC (CECR)

CPDC was selected by US-based Progenics Pharmaceuticals to manufacture a new therapy strategy for pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma, two rare and often fatal tumours. Progenics’ targeted radiotherapy—called Azedra—will take advantage of CPDC’s growing national manufacturing and distribution network, including new sites in Toronto and Ottawa. CPDC provides a reliable, daily supply of molecular imaging probes to hospitals and leading research teams, as part of 13 Canadian and international clinical trials. Phase II clinical trials of Azedra began in January 2015.

CPDC, and their host, McMaster University, serve as a model of how collaborative efforts can advance medical discoveries to commercialization. We believe CPDC has the proven ability to meet our demanding standards and timelines, in tandem with the ingenuity and flexibility necessary to manufacture small batches of radiopharmaceuticals in a cost-effective manner; a value creation point of great relevance to the ultra-orphan market.Mark Baker, CEO, Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, N.Y