225: Mastering Radiopharmaceutical Development: Preclinical Model Selection for Clinical Success with Bryan Miller - Part 1

Imagine treating cancer with the precision of a guided missile—delivering radioactive payloads directly to tumor cells. Radiopharmaceuticals are reshaping cancer diagnostics and therapy by pairing tumor-targeting molecules with radioisotopes for diagnosis or therapy. But what does it really take to develop these therapies, and why is interest from scientists, biotech companies, and pharma accelerating?In this episode, we're joined by Bryan Miller, Director of Scientific and Technical Operations at Crown Bioscience UK. From a PhD in cardiac disease to leading preclinical oncology and radiopharmaceutical programs, Bryan brings hands-on insight into building advanced cancer models and translating innovative therapies from bench to clinic.Topics discussed include:Bryan Miller's path from cardiac disease research to leading preclinical cancer model development (03:03)Crown Bioscience's comprehensive cancer model platforms, from organoids to PDX and humanized in vivo models (04:05)How radiopharmaceuticals differ from traditional chemotherapies in terms of safety and speed, including the concept of theranostics (07:32)The reasons behind the surge of interest in radiopharmaceuticals within science and industry (09:04)The importance of selecting the right preclinical model for success—and how AI and data-driven approaches will shape future workflows (10:11)Critical pitfalls and unique technical challenges in radiopharmaceutical drug development (12:46)Crown Bioscience's collaborative approach with Medicines Discovery Catapult to navigate the complexities of radiopharmaceutical research (13:35)The diverse client needs, from small startups to global pharma companies, and how mature their development programs can be (14:20)Strategies for scaling preclinical and translational capabilities to meet growing demand in radiopharmaceutical studies (16:04)Strategic insight:Radiopharmaceutical success requires integrated design from the start—combining precise model selection, targeting strategy, isotope choice, linker chemistry, and rigorous QC. Programs that establish this comprehensive foundation early move faster and with higher translational confidence than those addressing these elements sequentially or treating any aspect as a downstream refinement.If you're curious about the real challenges of drug development, the rise of theranostics, and how data-driven approaches (including AI) are shaping preclinical workflows, this episode delivers actionable strategies and insider perspectives for scientists and biotech innovators alike.Connect with Bryan Miller:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-miller-148344aaCrown Bioscience: www.crownbio.comNext step:Need fast CMC guidance? → Get rapid CMC decision support hereSupport the show