Diatech files INDs for two peptides

Peptide-based imaging agent developer Diatech has filed two investigationalnew drug (IND) applications with the Food and Drug Administrationfor technetium-99m-labeled radiopharmaceuticals. Diatech, of Londonderry,NH, reported the news this month.

The first agent, Tc-99m P748, is for the rapid detection ofpulmonary embolism. The peptide binds to a glycoprotein receptorlocated at activated platelets involved in blood clots. The secondagent, Tc-99m P829, is a somatostatin peptide for localizing canceroustumors. Diatech claims that a study presented at last year's RadiologicalSociety of North America meeting indicated that an agent closelyrelated to P829 may have better target to non-target ratios comparedto OctreoScan, a peptide-based imaging agent released by MallinckrodtMedical last year (SCAN 6/15/94).

The IND filings bring to five the number of Diatech productsin clinical trials, according to Diatech president Richard Dean.Diatech is also developing peptide-based radiopharmaceuticalsfor the detection of deep-vein thrombosis and atherosclerosisand for the treatment of bone metastases.