Telix Pharmaceuticals submits NDA for Pixclara to advance brain cancer imaging

Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited (ASX: TLX) has taken a significant step in the realm of neuro-oncology by submitting a New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for TLX101-CDx, also known as Pixclara (18F-floretyrosine or 18F-FET). This investigational positron emission tomography (PET) imaging agent is designed to enhance the characterization of progressive or recurrent glioma, a type of brain cancer, in both adult and pediatric patients.

Potential Impact and Designations

Pixclara has already garnered Orphan Drug and Fast Track designations from the FDA, which facilitate expedited review and closer consultation during the regulatory process. These designations underscore the agent’s potential to address a significant unmet medical need. While FET PET (Pixclara) is already part of international clinical practice guidelines for glioma imaging, there is currently no FDA-approved targeted amino acid PET agent available commercially in the U.S.

Addressing Unmet Needs in Glioma Diagnosis

The diagnosis and management of glioma, especially post-treatment, present critical challenges. Traditional imaging techniques, such as MRI, often fail to provide conclusive results, which can delay time-sensitive treatment decisions. Pixclara aims to fill this gap by offering more precise imaging capabilities, potentially improving patient outcomes through clearer diagnostic information and better treatment decision-making.

Pixclara is being developed not only as a diagnostic tool but also as a “companion” imaging agent for TLX101, Telix’s investigational neuro-oncology drug. TLX101 targets the same amino acid transporter mechanism as Pixclara but with therapeutic targeted radiation.

Expert Insights

Kevin Richardson, Chief Executive Officer of Telix Precision Medicine, emphasized the importance of Pixclara in addressing the limitations of conventional imaging techniques. He noted, “Gliomas are the most common primary brain tumors of the central nervous system. Conventional imaging with MRI often yields inconclusive results in characterizing recurrent disease and therefore delays time-sensitive decision making. The limitations of conventional imaging techniques include the lack of biological specificity, dependency on blood-brain barrier disruption, and an inherent inability to differentiate between tumor progression or treatment-related causes.”

Richardson further highlighted that the NDA filing represents a crucial milestone, reflecting Telix’s commitment to enhancing neuro-oncology imaging in the U.S. He added, “This takes us one step closer to commercial availability in 2025, subject to FDA approval.”

Theranostic Approach

TLX101-CDx (Pixclara) targets membrane transport proteins LAT1 and LAT2, positioning it as a potential companion diagnostic for TLX101, Telix’s investigational glioblastoma therapy currently under investigation in the IPAX-2 and IPAX-Linz studies.

The advancement of Pixclara through the regulatory process holds promise for transforming the landscape of brain cancer imaging, addressing critical needs in precision medicine and potentially improving patient outcomes in the fight against glioma.