SOFIE Inc, a Theranostics company, has signed a global license with University Clinic Heidelberg for a class of molecular targeted diagnostics and radiotherapeutics that are aimed at identifying and breaking down cancer associated fibroblasts in tumour stroma and irradiate nearby cancer cells, it was reported on Friday.

The license includes the small molecule inhibitors of fibroblast activation-protein (FAP) inhibitors that can be named alternatively with different radioisotopes; those for diagnostic imaging to identify patients whose tumours contain fibroblast activation-protein inhibitors with high expression of fibroblast activation-protein inhibitors, and those for radiotherapeutic treatment of these patients.

More than 200 patients were imaged at the University Clinic Heidelberg, while five other academic centres in Germany investigating patients with a wide range of cancers. Moreover, a small number of patients received compassionate care therapy on an individual patient basis at Heidelberg University Hospital and were analysed in an approved retrospective observational study.

Philipp Czernin, SOFIE's chief revenue officer, led the negotiations with University Clinic Heidelberg.