Oslo-based startup ARTBIO has secured $23 million in a seed round led by F-Prime Capital with Omega Funds. The startup specializes in the development of alpha radioligand therapies (ART) using the radioactive isotope lead-212 (Pb212). The recent funding will be utilized to advance the development of AB001, expand their portfolio with new and unique projects, further refine the AlphaDirect Pb212 isolation technology, and establish a broader network for distributed manufacturing.
At the forefront of ARTBIO’s innovative work is their lead candidate, AB001, which is currently undergoing Phase 0/I clinical trials for the treatment of prostate cancer. The trial focuses on approximately two dozen patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, specifically targeting prostate-specific membrane antigen-positive lesions, as confirmed by 18F-PSMA-PET imaging.
ARTBio is also developing the AlphaDirect platform to try to overcome isotope production and distribution challenges. The benchtop platform can be operated at many different sites, and ARTBio is also hoping to establish a streamlined supply chain for sourcing starting materials from accessible nuclear industry stockpiles.
What sets ARTBIO apart is their pioneering technology known as AlphaDirect Pb212 isotope isolation. This groundbreaking approach enables the distributed manufacturing of ARTs, allowing for more efficient and widespread production. The foundation of ARTBIO’s scientific endeavors lies in research conducted at the prestigious University of Oslo and Norway’s Radium Hospital, adding credibility to their work.
“We focus on ARTs with Pb212 because they can selectively deliver lethal energy to tumors in an optimal timeframe, resulting in better outcomes for patients and easier management by healthcare professionals,” ARTBio CEO Emanuele Ostuni said in a statement. “We are equally focused on building a distributed manufacturing ecosystem to maximize the potential of these therapies through a footprint tailored to the short half-life of Pb212.”
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