When it comes to treating metastatic cancers, the current approach often destroys everything in the path to the tumor, causing significant collateral damage. A novel approach, radiopharmaceutical therapy (RPT), targets cancer cells directly while sparing healthy tissue. This method has garnered interest, with over $17 billion in investments, according to estimates compiled by Aptevo Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: APVO).
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 compound 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, aim to address these needs through a recently announced 50/50 strategic collaboration to develop up to three radiopharmaceutical oncology programs.
Under the collaboration, Aptevo contributes its multispecific platforms and oncology development 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 an equity stake of 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 partnership marks Aptevo's entrance into radiopharmaceuticals, building on its existing phase 1b clinical trial of mipletamig for acute myeloid leukemia. Aptevo's investigational therapies are built on its ADAPTIR and ADAPTIR-FLEX platforms, which create precise, multi-specific antibodies. By combining Aptevo's multispecific platforms with Niowave's isotope manufacturing and supply capabilities, the companies aim to advance new approaches for cancer patients with high unmet need.
Aptevo will contribute assets including targeting assets directed against Nectin-4, a clinically validated cancer target expressed on the surface of cancer cells. Niowave will provide radioisotopes such as actinium-225 and related 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."
The radiopharmaceutical therapy market has emerged as a clinically validated area of oncology, drawing interest from Big Pharma. However, development has been constrained by limited access to critical isotopes and manufacturing infrastructure. Niowave's established relationships across the radiopharmaceutical ecosystem position it as a reliable isotope supply partner. Together, Aptevo and Niowave aim to support radiopharmaceutical development in complex tumor settings, potentially changing the landscape of cancer treatment. To learn more about Aptevo, click here.
