Nuclidium Secures $99M Series B for Innovative Copper-Based Radiopharmaceuticals

Swiss biotech company Nuclidium has successfully closed a $99 million Series B funding round, bolstering its efforts to develop a novel copper-based radiopharmaceutical platform. This significant investment highlights the growing interest in radiopharmaceuticals within the pharmaceutical industry and positions Nuclidium as a potential disruptor in the field.

Copper-Based Technology: A Game-Changer in Radiopharmaceuticals

Nuclidium's approach diverges from the industry standard of using actinium- or lutetium-based payloads, instead focusing on copper as its isotope of choice. The company claims that this unique strategy offers several advantages:

1. Higher therapeutic doses per tumor volume
2. Lower overall radiation burden, enhancing safety profiles
3. Easier manufacturing processes
4. More affordable and accessible raw materials
5. Reduced radioactive waste
6. No requirement for a nuclear reactor

These potential benefits could significantly impact both the efficacy and accessibility of radiopharmaceutical treatments across various oncology indications.

Promising Pipeline and Clinical Progress

Nuclidium's pipeline currently features three programs, with NuriPro leading the charge in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Recent Phase I data for NuriPro's diagnostic application demonstrated its superiority in lesion detection compared to standard 18F-piflufolastat-based scans. The study showed that NuriPro:

• Detected additional lesions in 50% of patients
• Visualized more lesions than the standard agent up to four hours after administration

The therapeutic application of NuriPro is poised to enter early-stage clinical trials, while another program, TraceNET for breast cancer, is advancing through mid-stage development for diagnostic applications and preparing to initiate Phase I studies for therapeutic use.

Industry Momentum and Big Pharma Interest

Nuclidium's substantial funding round occurs against a backdrop of increasing activity in the radiopharmaceutical space. This week alone saw another significant investment, with Massachusetts-based Actithera securing $75.5 million in Series A funding. The influx of capital reflects growing interest from major pharmaceutical companies, including:

• Novartis, currently leading the field with approved therapies Pluvicto and Lutathera
• Bristol Myers Squibb's $4.1 billion acquisition of RayzeBio in December 2023
• AstraZeneca's $2.4 billion purchase of Fusion Pharmaceuticals in March 2024

As the radiopharmaceutical market continues to expand, Nuclidium's innovative approach and strong financial backing position it as a company to watch in this rapidly evolving sector of the pharmaceutical industry.