Phase 1 Results for Imaging Agent Cu-61 NuriPro Shows Promise for Future Theranostic Option Cu-67

At the 2025 Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) annual meeting, a promising phase I clinical trial results were presented for Cu-61 NuriPro, a next-generation PET imaging agent specifically designed for patients with PSMA-positive metastatic prostate cancer. This agent targets prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), a protein commonly overexpressed in prostate cancer cells, making it a valuable tool for disease detection and monitoring.

Cu-61 NuriPro demonstrated a safety profile comparable to that of currently approved PSMA PET tracers, suggesting it may be suitable for broad clinical use. Its imaging performance stood out, particularly in its ability to detect more lesions in 50% of patients when compared to F-18 piflufolastat, a widely used PET agent. Notably, Cu-61 NuriPro provided high-quality imaging up to four hours after administration, a significant advantage that Nuclidium attributes to the copper isotope’s 3.3-hour half-life and high positron yield. These properties enable a broader distribution range and more flexible imaging windows.

The phase I trial was conducted at the Hoag Molecular Imaging and Therapy Clinic in Newport Beach, California, and focused on patients with confirmed PSMA-positive metastatic prostate cancer. There are plans to complement the diagnostic with a therapeutic counterpart, Cu-67 NuriPro, which is expected to enter clinical trials in early 2026.

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