Radiopharmaceutical Therapeutics
Aptevo is expanding the potential of its proprietary multispecific antibody platforms into radiopharmaceutical therapeutic development, applying its expertise in tumor targeting and immune-oncology biology to one of the most dynamic areas of cancer treatment.
Radiopharmaceutical therapies are designed to deliver radioactive payloads directly to cancer cells, combining the precision of targeted therapy with the cell-killing power of radiation. This approach has gained significant momentum across oncology because of its potential to treat difficult-to-address tumors while limiting exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.
Aptevo’s science is well suited to this opportunity. Our ADAPTIR™ and ADAPTIR-FLEX™ platforms are designed to generate differentiated multispecific antibodies capable of engaging cancer targets in precise and purposeful ways. By applying these targeting technologies to radiopharmaceutical development, Aptevo is exploring new ways to direct potent radioisotopes to tumor cells and expand the therapeutic potential of its platform beyond traditional immuno-oncology applications.
To support this initiative, Aptevo has entered into a strategic collaboration with Niowave, an ideal partner with deep expertise in radioisotope production, radiochemistry and supply, to develop up to three drug candidates.
Niowave’s capabilities, including production of Actinium-225 and other medical isotopes, complement Aptevo’s targeting and development strengths and help address one of the most important challenges in the radiopharmaceutical field: reliable access to critical isotopes.
The first program is expected to focus on Nectin-4, a clinically validated cancer target expressed on the surface of several solid tumors. Nectin-4 provides a strong scientific starting point for a radiopharmaceutical approach, where accurate delivery of the radioactive payload is essential to therapeutic impact.
Together, Aptevo and Niowave are building a focused development effort designed to advance up to three radiopharmaceutical oncology programs. The collaboration brings together Aptevo’s multispecific platform science and Niowave’s isotope capabilities to pursue novel therapeutic candidates for cancers with significant unmet need.
Why It Matters
Radiopharmaceutical development depends on two critical capabilities: the ability to deliver radiation precisely to cancer cells and the ability to reliably access the radioisotopes needed to power that approach. Aptevo brings targeting science. Niowave brings the isotope expertise. Together, the companies are positioned to explore a new class of targeted cancer therapeutics with the potential to meaningfully advance treatment for patients.
Strategic Entry Into Radiopharmaceutical Oncology with Aligned Economics and Platform Upsides
Aptevo’s collaboration with Niowave capitalizes on our multispecific antibody expertise in the development of next-generation targeted radiopharmaceuticals
Strategic Collaboration: A new path to apply targeting expertise in solid tumors, aligning both companies through a 50/50 collaboration and strategic equity investment
- Niowave is a leader in isotope manufacturing and supply, brings established relationships across the radiopharmaceutical ecosystem, including supply agreements with Novartis and AstraZeneca
- Expands Aptevo’s preclinical pipeline into radiopharmaceutical oncology, a high-interest therapeutic category attracting significant industry investment
- Leverages Aptevo’s antibody assets and development expertise, beginning with Nectin-4–targeted assets
- Pairs Aptevo’s precise tumor-targeting and controlled therapeutic activity approach with Niowave’s radioisotope production, manufacturing and supply chain capabilities, including Actinium-225
- Secures supply in a constrained market
- Establishes a 50/50 collaboration to develop up to three radiopharmaceutical programs
- Includes Niowave’s initial equity investment in Aptevo, with the potential to build a larger ownership position over time