Transcription of The Stock Network Interview with Starpharma (ASX:SPL, US OTC:SPHRY), CEO Cheryl Maley
Lel Smits: Starpharma has seen its share price rise more than 100% this year as it advances its Dendrimer drug delivery platform partnerships and clinical programs. With major partnerships progressing towards the clinic, Starpharma is building momentum across its pipeline and commercial opportunities. Ahead of appearing at Stocks on Location, I’m joined by Starpharma’s CEO, Cheryl Malley, to discuss what’s driving the company’s momentum and also the catalysts ahead.
Cheryl, welcome back to the Stock Network.
Cheryl Maley: Thanks so much, Lel, for having me.
Lel Smits: Now, Starpharma’s share price has risen more than 100% this year. Can you start by outlining what you believe those key factors are that’s driving this momentum and also what you think has really changed for the company over the past 12 months?
Cheryl Maley: Yes, I’m happy to share. It is an exciting time, but it has also been a very big year for Starpharma. But I think it is a reflection of execution of our strategy.
We have a fantastic clinically validated technology, and our focus is very clear to improve cancer treatments, be that through products that we develop or through licensing that technology to partners. We’re very focused on that clear mission to do that. And I think the last 12 months has been a reflection of some of the outputs and outcomes that we have achieved by focusing on that strategy.
And as an example, 12 months ago, we announced two new partnerships in addition to the one that we had announced 12 months ago. So we’ve got three partners now that are using our technology in targeted oncology, drug development. And we also progressed our own internal assets in the space of radiopharmaceuticals, which is a really exciting area.
And we developed a really compelling preclinical package. We’re well set up now to take it to the clinic. And I think the share price and the momentum that we have is a reflection of our really clear focus execution of our strategy.
Lel Smits: Yes. And Cheryl, you mentioned the partnerships in terms of those partnerships moving towards the clinic. Can you talk us through your strategy for securing continued validation and also growing those partnerships?
Cheryl Maley: Yes. I mean, we are very focused on the execution of bringing our HER2 lutetium radiopharmaceutical to the clinic. Our goal is to do that before the end of the year. As I mentioned, we’ve got a really good preclinical package.
And now we want to make sure that that translates to that first in human study. On our partnerships, we are focused on absolutely progressing those according to the milestones that they have set. And that is obviously a benefit to us, not only for a commercial financial gain, but also because it is further validation and gives us more opportunity for more partnerships as well.
So on top of the work that we’re doing in that space, we are also continually looking at opportunities for more companies that can license our technology and use it within their drug development programs as well. So in the next six, 12 months, the key things that investors should be looking out for would be the progression of our HER2 lutetium radiotherapy into the clinic and some of the readout for those first patients. And then also the progress of our existing partnerships or new partnerships and licensing opportunities.
Lel Smits: Well, Cheryl, I appreciate the update from Starpharma. Look forward to hearing more when you’re on stage at Stocks on Location very soon.
Cheryl Maley: Thank you so much.
Ends