As big pharmaceutical companies increasingly invest in radiopharmaceuticals, Aptevo Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: APVO) and Niowave Inc. have announced a 50/50 strategic collaboration to develop up to three radiopharmaceutical oncology programs. The partnership aims to leverage Aptevo's multispecific antibody platforms for precise tumor targeting and Niowave's expertise in radioisotope production and supply, addressing two critical bottlenecks in the field: better targeting and reliable isotope access.
Radiopharmaceutical therapy (RPT) uses a targeting molecule to find cancer cells and a radioactive isotope to destroy them, minimizing damage to healthy tissue. This approach has attracted over $17 billion in investments, according to Aptevo, as it offers a promising treatment for metastatic cancers that are difficult to treat with conventional methods. The collaboration comes at a time when the field is at a tipping point, needing advancements in both targeting and isotope supply to achieve blockbuster status.
Under the terms of the agreement, Aptevo will contribute assets from its proprietary ADAPTIR™ and ADAPTIR-FLEX™ platforms, including targeting assets directed against Nectin-4, a clinically validated cancer target expressed on the surface of solid tumors. Niowave will provide radioisotopes such as actinium-225 and related manufacturing capabilities. The companies have already designed the first program and are ready to initiate the initial stage of the collaboration, which will inform future development.
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 investment underscores Niowave's confidence in the partnership. “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. “Our investment reflects our confidence in the opportunity to combine Aptevo’s targeting capabilities with Niowave’s radioisotope production and supply expertise.”
The collaboration marks Aptevo's entrance into radiopharmaceuticals, expanding beyond its current phase 1b clinical trial of mipletamig for acute myeloid leukemia. For Niowave, it represents its first entry into therapeutic development, extending beyond isotope manufacture and supply. By combining their strengths, the companies aim to advance new treatment options for patients with high unmet need.
The radiopharmaceutical therapy market has drawn interest from Big Pharma, which has been investing in emerging radiopharmaceutical companies. 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, reinforcing its role as a reliable partner in a resource-constrained market. Aptevo believes that together, they can support radiopharmaceutical development in complex tumor settings that large pharmaceutical companies struggle to address on their own.
“The collaboration between Aptevo and Niowave reflects a strategic expansion of Aptevo’s development plan, and we are extremely pleased to be working with Niowave,” said Jeff Lamothe, President and CEO of Aptevo. “We have established a strong foundation and clinical proof-of-concept with our multispecific assets, and this partnership enables us to extend that capability into radiopharmaceuticals, an increasingly important area of therapeutic development in oncology.”
To learn more about Aptevo, click here. Featured image from Shutterstock. This content was originally published on Benzinga. Read further disclosures here.
