ASX Health Stocks: Telix takes major leap forward on Phase 3 ZIRCON study of kidney cancer

The ASX 200 Health Index (XHJ) is trading higher by 1.90% at the time of writing, compared to the broader index which is down by 0.30%.

Oncology specialist Telix Pharmaceuticals (ASX: TLX) announced that its ZIRCON Phase 3 kidney cancer study has completed the target enrolment.

The Phase 3 study of investigational renal (kidney) cancer imaging drug, TLX250-CDx, has dosed 252 patients, the target number for the trial.

TLX250-CDx is a diagnostic agent targeting clear cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (ccRCC), a type of kidney cancer which is the most common type in adults.

The drug received “Breakthrough Designation” from the US FDA in July 2020.

“There is a clear need for a diagnostic tool that can aid in the management of the ccRCC disease, and better guide surgical decisions,” said Dr Viraj Master at the Emory University School of Medicine which conducted the trial.

“In anticipation of study results, investigators at the sites have been excited by the potential utility of the agent in patients with indeterminate renal masses,” he said.

In another study, Telix has also begun a Phase 3 study for TLX591, a drug that treats prostate cancer. The study has already commenced in Australia, but will expand to the US, Europe and possibly Asia this year.

Telix share price today:

Pacific Smiles impacted by flood, pandemic

Dental network Pacific Smiles (ASX:PSQ) has reported its year-to-date financial performance up to 28 February.

The company delivered year-to-date patient fees of $145.1m, a decline of 9% YoY. Same centre patient fee also declined YoY by 13.1%.

PSQ says that while the persistent COVID-19 infection numbers continue to have an impact on patient attendance, February has performed better than January.

Over the past week, several of Pacific’s centres in Queensland and Northern NSW have also been impacted by the floods.

The company remains confident it will be on track to open between 15 and 20 new centres in FY22, taking the number of centres in its network to 121 by the end of March.