This is my live blog post covering new developments in the area of new Somatostatin Analogues and new delivery systems.
Abstract
As most of you will be aware, there are currently two main types of Somatostatin Analogues (SSA) in use for the treatment of mainstream Neuroendocrine Tumours (NETs) – Octreotide and Lanreotide. You can click on the links for information on both of these well-known NET treatments. This post will focus on the not so well known and anything in the pipeline including different delivery systems.
Those who have read the Octreotide/ Lanreotide patient leaflets will know those SSAs are also used in the treatment of a condition known as Acromegaly. You can see why the drug is used for both as they control the release of excess secretions of various substances, a problem that has an effect on both conditions. In the case of Acromegaly, the condition is typically caused by pituitary tumours that oversecrete the growth hormone leading to elevated levels of IGF-1. Like NETs, Octreotide/Lanreotide is currently the mainstay non-surgical treatment for this condition. For those not aware of Acromegaly there is a nice infographic explaining it here.
It’s important to understand that NETs and other conditions including Cushing’s and Acromegaly, very often share the same hormone inhibiting drugs, thus why any development for these type of drugs is of interest to all physicians and patients in the associated conditions. The clinical trials normally always start with Acromegaly before moving on to trials with NET patients.
It’s also useful to understand that many of these drugs/delivery mechanisms are driven by availability of funding and are subject to the vagaries of the market. For example, one entry on the previous version of this article has been removed as the company manufacturing it went into administration (Solid Dose Injections).
Also check out some generic somatostatin analogues.
A version of octreotide long-acting which is prefilled and given subcutaneously and suitable for self inject
Exciting development. Read more here or click on the picture below:
Clinical Trial of Paltusotine, an oral somatostatin analogue for the Treatment of Carcinoid Syndrome
Click here or on the graphic below to read more
SYHX2008: A New Self‑Injectable subcutaneous Long‑acting Octreotide on the Horizon for NETs
A new long‑acting octreotide formulation is emerging that could expand treatment options for people with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (GEP‑NETs). SYHX2008, developed by CSPC Pharmaceutical Group, is a once‑monthly, pre‑filled, subcutaneous long‑acting octreotide designed for self‑administration. For many NET patients on lifelong somatostatin analogue therapy, a monthly home‑injectable option represents a potentially meaningful shift in convenience and independence. Click here or on the graphic below to read more.
Shelved Projects
Clinical trial for Octreotide capsules (Mycappsa) is probably cancelled as EU’s EMA withdrew marketing authorisation in Feb 2025. It must be assumed this product will no longer be viable for NET/Carcinoid Syndrome.
Click here or on the picture to read more:
New delivery system for Octreotide LAR – “Q-Sphera” (MDT201)
Update Sep 2026., It has been silent for some time now so we must assume this project is shelved.
UPDATE: In March 2020, the decision was taken to terminate further in-house development of the MTD201 programme with immediate effect although the asset remains available for licensing. All activities connected with MTD201 have been wound down expeditiously and the manufacturing facilities in Bilbao have been closed. Following the termination of in-house development of MTD201, the Company realigned its strategy towards exploiting its Q-Sphera technology more broadly.
I will leave it here as someone may buy the work and proceed. Original Article below
Update 8th January 2020.
An unnamed Asian ‘pharma giant’ has signed a deal with Midatech Pharma Plc that will see it evaluate the latter’s Q-Sphera drug delivery platform.
Midatech’s Q-Sphera™ is an advanced microencapsulation and polymer-depot sustained release (SR) drug delivery platform produced using a novel and disruptive printing based process, with numerous and distinct advantages over conventional reactor based technologies. From a manufacturing perspective Q-Sphera™ is a precise, scalable, efficient, and environmentally friendly microparticle platform. From a clinical perspective Q-Sphera™ ensures monodispersed microparticles that release active drug compounds into the body in a superior linear tightly controlled and predictable manner over an extended period of time from 1 – 6 months. Most recent study has proven sustainability of the injection for up to 6-8 weeks (see full article for details). Read more here in my article dedicated to this project – click here
New Somatostatin Analogue – Veldoreotide (COR-005)
Updated Sep 2026. It has gone quiet on this one so we must assume this is shelved.
Updated 16 Mar 2022. Still listed on the website here.
Updated 14 Dec 2017. There is another new drug in the pipeline currently known as Veldoreotide or COR-005 (although I can see the term ‘Somatoprim’ used on other searches). COR-005 is an investigational SSA in phase 2 development for treatment of patients with Acromegaly. Although the page on the manufacturer’s website does not mention NETs, an announcement of its progress has just been made at the Endocrine Society’s annual conference for 2016. The announcement states that the drug has “potential additional applications in Cushing’s syndrome and neuroendocrine tumors”. COR-005 targets somatostatin receptors 2, 4 and 5. Read about the drug here.
COR-005 has received orphan drug designation (only for Acromegaly) in the US and EU. There is not enough data to understand how this might benefit NETs and what the differences would be. Hopefully, an update will be available later which will result in an update to this post.
Oral Octreotide using RaniPill™
Updated Sep 2026. It has gone quiet on this one so we must assume this is shelved.
Added 9th Feb 2020. News of a successful phase 1 trial for a pill version of Octreotide. VERY exciting – read more here.
Summary
This information is provided for information only. There is no intent to indicate at this point that these new drugs will eventually be approved for NETs. However, it’s another indication that people are working on new treatments which might end up being available at some stage.
The pipeline for new treatments and methods of delivery continues to grow!
Disclaimer
I am not a doctor or any form of medical professional, practitioner or counsellor. None of the information on my website, or linked to my website(s), or conveyed by me on any social media or presentation, should be interpreted as medical advice given or advised by me.
Neither should any post or comment made by a follower or member of my private group be assumed to be medical advice, even if that person is a healthcare professional. Some content may be generated by AI which can sometimes be misinterpreted. Please check any references attached.
Please also note that mention of a clinical service, trial/study or therapy does not constitute an endorsement of that service, trial/study or therapy by Ronny Allan, the information is provided for education and awareness purposes and/or related to Ronny Allan’s own patient experience. This element of the disclaimer includes any complementary medicine, non-prescription over the counter drugs and supplements such as vitamins and minerals.
General Clinical Trials Disclaimer
Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contacts provided in the clinical trials document. It’s very important to check the trial inclusion and exclusion criteria before making any contact. If you need questions, the articles here is very useful Questions to Ask About Clinical Trials | Cancer.Net
The inclusion of any trial within this blog should not be taken as a recommendation by Ronny Allan.
Finally
Whenever I post about a trial or study, some people get excited without understanding that these new treatments and capabilities can very often take years to come to fruition and it’s also possible that clinical trials can be halted, or that national approval agencies will not approve the final product. Plus, not everyone will be eligible, so always check the exclusion and inclusion criteria in the relevant clinical trials document. Please bear that in mind when reading studies/clinical trials posted on RonnyAllan.NET
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Ronny
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Thanks Ronny. Interesting to read a piece linking Cushing’s with other NETs.
yes, I have some other stuff somewhere
Always heartwarming to see the erstwhile ‘separate’ diseases gradually being pulled under the hormonal umbrella
Interesting read thankyou Ronny