Monopar Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: MNPR) stock is experiencing a substantial surge this morning, driven by the announcement of promising early data from an ongoing clinical trial. As of the latest market update, MNPR stock soared 77.85% to trade at $4.27 per share.
Monopar Shared Breakthrough findings in Tumor Targeting
Monopar disclosed positive initial findings from its open-label MNPR-101-Zr Phase 1 imaging and dosimetry clinical trial. This trial has shown MNPR-101-Zr’s ability to effectively target tumors in people. The urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), which is often expressed in a variety of aggressive malignancies is the target of Monopar’s patented humanized monoclonal antibody, MNPR-101.
MNPR Demonstrating Efficacy Through Advanced Imaging
In the trial, a total-body positron emission tomography (PET) scan was performed 168 hours (7 days) post-administration of MNPR-101-Zr on a patient with a high uPAR-expressing cancer type. The results indicated that MNPR-101-Zr demonstrated a high degree of specificity, durability, and uptake in metastatic tumors compared to normal tissue. Notably, the regions of higher uptake corresponded with previously identified metastatic sites observed through conventional FDG PET imaging.
Comparative Analysis with FDG Imaging
The performance of MNPR-101-Zr was evaluated against FDG, the current gold standard in detecting metastatic tumors. Both MNPR-101-Zr and FDG were assessed using the same Siemens Biograph Vision Quadra PET/CT scanner at the Melbourne Theranostic Innovation Centre, one of the world’s most sensitive PET/CT scanning facilities.
The findings revealed that MNPR-101-Zr effectively targeted known disease sites and demonstrated retention at these sites over an extended period, suggesting promising potential for future therapeutic applications.
Upcoming Clinical Trials and Data Presentations
Monopar recently obtained clearance in Australia to commence an MNPR-101-Lu Phase 1 therapeutic clinical trial, slated to begin in the fourth quarter of this year. Additionally, Monopar will present further data at the European Association of Nuclear Medicine 2024 Annual Congress in Hamburg, Germany, where its abstract has been selected as a ‘Top-Rated Oral Presentation’ in the Scientific Program.