Why Is Cancer Drug Focused Monopar Therapeutics Stock Trading Higher On Tuesday?

Monopar Therapeutics Inc MNPR shares jumped over 100% during the trading on Tuesday on a strong volume session volume of 3.94 million, compared to an average volume of 159.7K, as per the data from Benzinga Pro.

Tuesday, Monopar Therapeutics received Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) clearance in Australia to commence a Phase 1 dosimetry trial of its radiopharmaceutical MNPR-101-Zr.

The 12-subject trial will enroll patients with advanced cancers and utilize positron emission tomography (PET) imaging to assess tumor uptake, normal organ biodistribution, and safety.

MNPR-101-Zr is a zirconium-89 (imaging radioisotope) labeled version of MNPR-101, Monopar’s proprietary first-in-class humanized monoclonal antibody that is highly selective against the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR). 

PET imaging studies in preclinical xenograft models of triple-negative breast, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers displayed high and selective uptake of MNPR-101-Zr in these uPAR-expressing tumors. 

The imaging results, along with corresponding in vivo efficacy studies with actinium-225 (Ac-225, a powerful alpha-emitting therapeutic radioisotope) bound to MNPR-101 in preclinical xenograft tumor models, support the development of MNPR-101 as a targeted radiopharmaceutical for multiple advanced cancer indications.

“This is a significant milestone for Monopar,” said Chandler Robinson, MD, Monopar’s Chief Executive Officer. “Following more than 18 months of extensive preclinical development, we believe we are well-positioned in this space. This is our first human clinical trial using our uPAR targeting agent.”

Monopar Therapeutics plans to evaluate the efficacy of a therapeutically radio-labeled version of MNPR-101 bound to an isotope such as Ac-225 in humans if the tumor uptake, biodistribution, and safety look encouraging in this Phase 1 trial.

Price Action: MNPR shares are up 116.58% at $0.74 on the last check Tuesday.