START and Minerva Imaging Expand Radiopharmaceutical Development Alliance

The START Center for Cancer Research, its preclinical arm XenoSTART, and Denmark-based Minerva Imaging have expanded their decade-long partnership to create an integrated platform for radiopharmaceutical drug development. The collaboration combines XenoSTART’s clinically annotated patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models with Minerva’s molecular imaging and radionuclide therapy capabilities. 

Radiopharmaceuticals are gaining momentum in oncology, particularly in metastatic prostate cancer, with growing interest in earlier-stage disease and other indications. The companies aim to streamline development by offering a single-source solution from discovery through manufacturing. 

“By combining XenoSTART’s deep expertise in clinically annotated PDX models with Minerva Imaging’s state-of-the-art facilities for radiopharmaceutical drug development, we are delivering the gold standard in translational oncology research to target cancers such as prostate,” said Nick Slack, MBE, Chairman and CEO of START. 

Minerva Imaging, a CRO and CDMO, provides imaging modalities (PET/CT, SPECT/CT, MRI), orthotopic in-vivo models, and GMP-certified manufacturing. “By strengthening our collaboration with XenoSTART and START, we are creating a powerful translational bridge for collaborators to move promising therapies from bench to bedside with unprecedented speed and confidence,” said Carsten H. Nielsen, PhD, CEO of Minerva Imaging. 

XenoSTART’s models are derived from START’s global clinical network, reflecting real-world disease states. “XenoSTART provides the most predictive preclinical platform in the industry,” said Michael Wick, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of XenoSTART. 

The expanded alliance aims to accelerate radiopharmaceutical innovation and reduce development risk.