Shuttle Pharma Targets Prostate Cancer With PSMA Ligand Breakthrough
Biotech firm files new patent and ramps up diagnostics as global PSMA market grows.
Shuttle Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: SHPH) is advancing its mission to revolutionize prostate cancer treatment. On April 10, 2025, the company announced the filing of a pivotal provisional patent application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The application, titled “PSMA-Targeted PARP Inhibitor Conjugates for Precision Cancer Therapy,” marks a major milestone in the firm’s push to develop advanced diagnostic and therapeutic tools for prostate cancer patients.
The patent filing focuses on a theranostic compound designed to zero in on prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) expressed on the surface of cancer cells. This dual-purpose molecule offers both diagnostic imaging potential and the ability to deliver targeted therapy, especially in aggressive, metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).
A Powerful Collaboration Drives Innovation
Shuttle Pharmaceuticals developed this latest breakthrough through a collaboration with Dr. Alan Kozikowski, a renowned medicinal chemist who helped discover a critical PSMA targeting ligand now used in widely recognized cancer imaging and treatment products. His early research, carried out alongside Professor Joseph Neale at Georgetown University Medical Center, contributed to the development of both Lantheus Holdings’ (NASDAQ: LNTH) Pylarify® and Novartis’ (NYSE: NVS) Pluvicto®—two of the most significant PSMA-related compounds in modern oncology.
This newly filed patent represents the second intellectual property claim to emerge from the same foundational research, reinforcing the partnership’s track record for innovation. The conjugates combine PSMA ligands with PARP inhibitors—chemotherapeutic agents that interfere with DNA repair in cancer cells—to enhance precision and reduce off-target toxicity.
Shuttle Pharma’s Chairman and Chief Scientific Officer, Anatoly Dritschilo, MD, commented on the milestone, stating:
I believe a significant opportunity exists for PSMA ligands for prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment. The Shuttle Pharma scientists have collaborated with Dr. Kozikowski on discovery projects for radiation sensitizing drugs and have recently focused on the discovery of novel PSMA ligands with the intent of targeting prostate cancer cells preferentially to the effects of radiation and chemotherapeutic agents. We look forward to the continued advancement of our Shuttle Diagnostics’ subsidiary and the opportunity to develop a theranostic that has the potential to play a significant role in the future diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.
A New Frontier in Prostate Cancer Diagnostics
Shuttle Diagnostics, the company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, is spearheading efforts to develop pretreatment diagnostic blood tests. Two major tests under development—PSMA-B Ligand and the PC-Rad Test—aim to improve treatment planning by identifying which patients are more likely to respond to radiation therapy. Currently, no blood tests on the market can predict radiation therapy outcomes with precision.
This diagnostic strategy complements the company’s broader focus on theranostics, a combined approach to diagnosis and therapy. With most prostate cancers expressing the PSMA antigen, the ligands Shuttle is developing could be instrumental in both identifying and targeting cancerous cells, with reduced collateral damage to healthy tissue.
The use of PSMA-targeting agents for both PET scanning and therapeutic applications is rapidly gaining traction. By leveraging smaller PSMA ligands instead of bulkier antibody-drug conjugates, Shuttle aims to improve both delivery efficiency and patient outcomes. These smaller molecules may prove especially effective in reaching and binding to prostate cancer cells in areas less accessible to larger compounds.
Also Read: 4 Stocks Poised for Big Gains Amid Major Transformations
Growing Market Opportunity for PSMA-Based Therapies
Industry analysts expect a sharp rise in demand for PSMA-based diagnostics and therapeutics. According to Clarivate, the global PSMA PET Imaging market reached $1.5 billion in 2022 and could grow to $2 billion by 2030. Meanwhile, Pluvicto®, a targeted radiopharmaceutical treatment for PSMA-positive mCRPC, is projected to reach a $2 billion market size.
These projections reflect increasing rates of prostate cancer diagnosis, particularly among aging populations. The American Cancer Society estimates that 1 in 8 men will face a prostate cancer diagnosis in their lifetime. Many are diagnosed early, allowing for curative treatments such as radiation or surgery. But for those whose cancer has spread, treatment options include androgen deprivation therapy, chemotherapy, and radiopharmaceuticals.
However, traditional therapies often come with severe side effects. Cytotoxic drugs can damage healthy tissues, limiting dosage and discouraging patients from undergoing or completing treatment regimens. Shuttle aims to address this challenge through precision targeting, reducing toxicity while maintaining or even improving efficacy.
Company Background and Future Outlook
Shuttle Pharmaceuticals was founded in 2012 by Georgetown University faculty members and has since grown into a leader in radiation therapy innovation. The company specializes in developing radiation sensitizers—compounds that make cancer cells more vulnerable to radiation—while working to limit patients’ side effects.
Its platform includes both therapeutic and diagnostic arms. On the therapeutic side, Shuttle is building a portfolio of compounds to enhance the effectiveness of radiation and chemotherapy. On the diagnostic front, the company is focused on predictive tests that can help doctors personalize treatment plans.
As Shuttle advances its pipeline, the company’s leadership remains optimistic about the impact its PSMA ligands and theranostic strategy could have on prostate cancer care. By continuing to collaborate with top scientists and leverage cutting-edge research, Shuttle is positioning itself at the forefront of the next generation of precision oncology.
Shuttle Pharmaceuticals continues to pursue its vision of improving radiation therapy outcomes, particularly for prostate cancer patients who lack targeted, effective, and well-tolerated treatment options. The latest patent application reflects a deeper investment in scientific partnerships, innovation, and patient-centric solutions that could redefine prostate cancer diagnosis and care in the years to come.
Read Next: This Might Be the Most Undervalued Biotech Stock on the Market Today, Here’s Why
Join the Discussion in the WVC Facebook Investor Group
Do you have a stock tip or news story suggestion? Please email us at Invest@WealthyVC.com.
This report/release/profile is a commercial advertisement and is for general information purposes only. We are engaged in the business of marketing and advertising companies for monetary compensation unless otherwise stated below.
Wealthy VC and its employees are not Registered Investment Advisors, Broker-Dealers or a member of any association for other research providers in any jurisdiction whatsoever and we are not qualified to give financial advice. The information contained herein is based on sources which we believe to be reliable but is not guaranteed by us as being accurate and does not purport to be a complete statement or summary of the available data. Wealthy VC encourages readers and investors to supplement the information in these reports with independent research and other professional advice. All information on featured companies is provided by the companies profiled through their website, news releases, and corporate filings, or is available from public sources and Wealthy VC makes no representations, warranties or guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of the disclosure by the profiled companies. Our website and newsletter are for entertainment purposes only. This website is NOT a source of unbiased information. Never invest in any stock featured on our site or emails unless you can afford to lose your entire investment.
Release of Liability: Through the use of this email and/or website advertisement, by viewing or using it, you agree to hold Wealthy VC, its operators, owners and employees harmless and to completely release them from any and all liability due to any and all loss (monetary or otherwise), damage (monetary or otherwise), or injury (monetary or otherwise) that you may incur. Wealthy VC-sponsored advertisements do not purport to provide an analysis of any company’s financial position, operations or prospects and this is not to be construed as a recommendation by Wealthy VC or an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security. WealthyVC and our controlling entity 1000724287 Ontario Ltd have been compensated USD $7,500 per month for six months for investor relations by Shuttle Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc.
None of the materials or advertisements herein constitute offers or solicitations to purchase or sell securities of the companies profiled herein and any decision to invest in any such company or other financial decisions should not be made based upon the information provided herein. Instead, Wealthy VC strongly urges you to conduct a complete and independent investigation of the respective companies and consideration of all pertinent risks. Readers are advised to review SEC periodic reports: Forms 10-Q, 10K, Form 8-K, insider reports, Forms 3, 4, 5 Schedule 13D and all reports published on SEDAR if the company featured is Canadian. Wealthy VC further urges you to consult your own independent tax, business, financial and investment advisors. Investing in micro-cap and growth securities is highly speculative and carries an extremely high degree of risk. It is possible that an investor’s investment may be lost or impaired due to the speculative nature of the companies profiled.
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides investors with a ‘safe harbor’ in regard to forward-looking statements. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, goals, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be “forward-looking statements”. Forward-looking statements are based on expectations, estimates, and projections at the time the statements are made that involve a number of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those presently anticipated. Forward-looking statements in this action may be identified through the use of words such as “projects”, “foresee”, “expects”, “will”, “anticipates”, “estimates”, “believes”, “understands”, or that by statements indicating certain actions “may”, “could”, or “might” occur. Understand there is no guarantee past performance will be indicative of future results. Past Performance is based on the security’s previous day’s closing price and the high of-day price during our promotional coverage.
In preparing this publication, Wealthy VC has relied upon information supplied by various public sources and press releases which it believes to be reliable; however, such reliability cannot be guaranteed. Investors should not rely on the information contained in this email and website. Rather, investors should use the information contained in this website as a starting point for doing additional independent research on the featured companies. The advertisements in this email and website are believed to be reliable, however, Wealthy VC and its owners, affiliates, subsidiaries, officers, directors, representatives and agents disclaim any liability as to the completeness or accuracy of the information contained in any advertisement and for any omissions of material facts from such advertisement. Wealthy VC is not responsible for any claims made by the companies advertised herein, nor is Wealthy VC responsible for any other promotional firm, its program or its structure.
