When it comes to treating metastatic cancers, the current approach often destroys everything in the path to the tumor, but the collateral damage can be deadly. A novel approach, radiopharmaceutical therapy (RPT), targets cancer cells directly while sparing healthy tissue. This method has garnered over $17 billion in investments, according to estimates compiled by Aptevo Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: APVO). RPT is proving particularly effective when cancer has spread throughout the body and is difficult to treat.
Radiopharmaceutical therapeutics are at a tipping point, requiring better tumor targeting and reliable isotope access to advance. An RPT drug consists of a targeting molecule that finds the cancer cell and a radioactive isotope that destroys it. Aptevo Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel multispecific immuno-oncology therapeutics, and Niowave Inc., a radioisotope production and supply company, have formed a 50/50 strategic collaboration to develop up to three radiopharmaceutical oncology programs.
Aptevo brings its multispecific platforms and oncology expertise, while Niowave provides radioisotope production, supply, and manufacturing capabilities. Niowave also made an equity investment in Aptevo, representing an initial ownership position of 7.9%, with the potential to build up to 19.99% through warrant exercises. “This collaboration will deepen our radiopharmaceutical development capabilities and better position us to support current partners and the broader industry,” said Mike Zamiara, CEO of Niowave.
The collaboration marks Aptevo’s entry into a new area of cancer treatment, building on its phase 1b clinical trial of mipletamig for acute myeloid leukemia. Aptevo’s pipeline is built on its ADAPTIR and ADAPTIR-FLEX platforms, which create precise, multi-specific antibodies. Expanding into radiopharmaceuticals gives Aptevo access to a high-growth oncology area, while Niowave enters therapeutic development for the first time.
Under the agreement, Aptevo will contribute assets from its multispecific antibody platforms, including targeting assets against Nectin-4, a clinically validated cancer target expressed on the surface of cancer cells. Niowave will provide radioisotopes like actinium-225 and manufacturing capabilities. The companies have designed and are ready to initiate the first stage of the collaboration, which will inform future development.
“The collaboration between Aptevo and Niowave reflects a strategic expansion of Aptevo’s development plan,” said Jeff Lamothe, President and CEO of Aptevo. “By combining our targeting approach with Niowave’s isotope capabilities, we are well-positioned to explore new ways to address the complexity of many kinds of cancer.”
Radiopharmaceutical therapy has emerged as a clinically validated area, drawing Big Pharma investments. However, development has been constrained by limited access to critical isotopes and manufacturing infrastructure. Niowave is a leading manufacturer and supplier of isotopes with established relationships across the radiopharmaceutical ecosystem. Combined, Aptevo and Niowave aim to support radiopharmaceutical development in complex tumor settings, addressing limitations that have prevented the market from reaching blockbuster status.
To learn more about Aptevo, click here. Featured image from Shutterstock.
