Actithera Secures $75.5 Million to Propel Precision Radioligand Therapies

July 14, 2025, 3:46 pm
Hadean Ventures
Hadean Ventures
DevelopmentDrugProductMedtechWebsiteFinTechBioTechDiagnosticsHealthTechTechnology
Employees: 11-50
Bioqube Ventures
Bioqube Ventures
BioTechDrugMedtechTechnologyResearchPlatformDevelopmentGrowth3DBuilding
Location: Belgium, Brussels-Capital, City of Brussels
Employees: 11-50
Founded date: 2015
Sofinnova Partners
Sofinnova Partners
MedtechTechnologyDevelopmentDrugBioTechProductPlatformHealthTechITHardware
Location: France, Ile-de-France
Employees: 51-200
Founded date: 1972
Actithera
BiotechDrugDiscoveryOncologyRadiopharmaceuticalsTherapeutics
Location: Norway
Total raised: $75.5M
Actithera, a cutting-edge biotech firm, recently secured $75.5 million in oversubscribed Series A funding. This significant capital injection powers their precision radioligand therapy (RLT) initiatives. Funds will advance their lead FAP asset into clinical trials. They will also accelerate development of a proprietary RLT discovery platform. Top investors, including M Ventures, Hadean Ventures, and Sofinnova Partners, backed the round. Actithera's innovative approach combines rational drug design with radiochemistry. It creates small-molecule radioligands for highly targeted tumor treatment. This method aims to optimize tumor residence time, enhancing precision, safety, and efficacy. The investment positions Actithera to revolutionize oncology, promising expanded therapeutic windows and improved patient outcomes in cancer care.

Actithera, a leading radiopharmaceutical biotech company, has announced a substantial Series A funding round. The company secured $75.5 million. This round was significantly oversubscribed, indicating strong investor confidence. The funding propels Actithera into a new phase of growth. It solidifies its position in the emerging field of precision radioligand therapy.

The oversubscribed Series A round saw significant participation. M Ventures co-led the investment. New investors Hadean Ventures, Sofinnova Partners, and 4BIO Capital also co-led. Additional contributions came from Bioqube Ventures, Innovestor’s Life Science Fund, Investinor, Surveyor Capital, and Arkin Bio Ventures II. Arkin Bio Ventures II was a founding investor. This diverse syndicate underscores a global commitment to Actithera's innovative mission.

The capital infusion has clear objectives. A primary goal is to advance Actithera’s lead FAP (Fibroblast Activation Protein) asset. This asset will move into clinical development. Multiple indications are planned for exploration. The funds also bolster the company’s proprietary RLT discovery platform. This platform represents a significant leap in radiopharmaceutical development. Furthermore, the investment supports expansion of Actithera’s preclinical pipeline. This ensures a robust future for novel therapies.

Actithera's core innovation lies in its unique discovery platform. This platform merges rational drug design with advanced radiochemistry. It produces novel small-molecule radioligands. These therapies are designed to overcome existing limitations in the radiopharmaceutical field. A key focus is optimizing tumor residence time. This ensures the therapeutic agent remains in the tumor longer. It also aims for rapid systemic clearance. This minimizes exposure to healthy tissues. The result is improved precision, enhanced safety, and greater efficacy for patients.

The company employs a sophisticated, multi-pillar platform. One pillar involves covalent-targeting strategies. These are specifically designed to maximize tumor residence time. Two additional proprietary approaches further differentiate compounds. They enhance tumor residence time and selectivity. This comprehensive strategy ensures highly targeted and effective treatment. Actithera also adheres to an isotope-agnostic philosophy. This allows flexibility in selecting the most appropriate radionuclide for each therapeutic application. This adaptability enhances treatment customization.

Actithera’s platform has already demonstrated its potential. Validation came through its work on FAP. Fibroblast Activation Protein is a high-value theranostic target. It has historically proven difficult to drug effectively. Actithera’s efforts resulted in a promising FAP-directed RLT development candidate. This candidate exhibits an optimal pharmacokinetic profile. It also shows exceptional tumor specificity. This breakthrough signifies a major step forward in targeting challenging cancers.

Radioligand therapies represent a meaningful shift in oncology. They offer the opportunity to redefine the therapeutic index. RLTs deliver radiation directly to cancer cells. This minimizes damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Actithera’s precise approach promises a larger therapeutic window. This means more effective treatment with fewer side effects. This focus on precision medicine could revolutionize cancer care.

Dr. Andreas Goutopoulos founded Actithera. He serves as its Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Goutopoulos brings over 25 years of experience to the role. His background spans the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. He previously held significant positions at EMD Serono. His leadership includes a tenure as Entrepreneur-in-Residence at M Ventures. Dr. Goutopoulos leads a precision-driven approach. He integrates unique targeting chemistries with rational design principles. His vision centers on engineering radioconjugates for extended retention within tumors. This allows for the use of longer-lived radionuclides. It also facilitates more convenient dosing schedules. This ultimately enhances efficacy and safety for cancer patients.

The Series A funding also brings strategic additions to Actithera’s Board of Directors. Roger Franklin, Partner at Hadean Ventures, joins the board. Karl Naegler, Partner at Sofinnova Partners, also becomes a board member. Therese Liechtenstein, Investment Director at 4BIO Capital, adds her expertise. Debbie Dumont, Managing Partner at Bioqube Ventures, rounds out the new appointments. Noga Yerushalmi, Investment Director at M Ventures, already serves on the board. Hakan Goker, Managing Director at M Ventures, currently chairs Actithera’s board. These new board members bring extensive industry and investment acumen. Their collective experience will guide Actithera’s strategic growth.

Actithera maintains a transatlantic presence. Its operations span Oslo, Norway, and Cambridge, Massachusetts. This dual location facilitates access to diverse scientific talent and investment networks. It also underscores a global ambition. The company aims to impact cancer patients worldwide.

This substantial funding round marks a pivotal moment for Actithera. It validates their innovative scientific approach. It provides the necessary resources for clinical advancement. It also strengthens their proprietary platform development. Actithera stands poised to introduce next-generation radioligand therapies. These therapies promise to offer significant benefits to patients. They will address critical unmet needs in cancer treatment. The company’s focus on high tumor retention and low systemic exposure defines its large therapeutic window. This positions Actithera as a frontrunner in the evolving RLT landscape. Their work holds the potential for a large impact across many tumor types.