The startup develops radiopharmaceuticals utilizing proprietary radiolabeling technology with astatine-211, an alpha-emitting radionuclide, specifically for cancer treatment. This approach provides patients with a more affordable option for targeted cancer therapy, addressing the high costs associated with traditional cancer treatments.
Funding
$5.3M raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
Founders
Product
Problem
Many cancer treatments struggle to eliminate residual microscopic disease or isolated tumor cells following conventional therapies, leading to recurrence and reduced patient survival rates. Traditional methods may also lack the precision to target cancer cells effectively, potentially damaging nearby healthy tissues.
Solution
Atonco is a clinical-stage radiopharmaceutical company focused on developing targeted alpha-immunotherapies using astatine-211 to eradicate residual cancer cells. Their approach involves radiolabeling antibodies with astatine-211, an alpha-emitting radionuclide, to create radiopharmaceuticals that selectively target and destroy cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Atonco's technology is designed to address clinical indications with unmet therapeutic needs, particularly those involving rapidly accessible tumor targets suited to the short half-life and path length of alpha particles. The company's lead candidate, ATO-101, targets non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and is delivered via intravesical instillation. This innovative approach aims to improve patient outcomes by effectively targeting and eliminating residual cancer cells, offering a potential alternative to radical cystectomy.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes patients with cancers characterized by rapidly accessible tumor targets, such as non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) refractory to BCG and chemotherapy, as well as clinicians specializing in oncology and nuclear medicine.
Features
- Utilizes astatine-211, an alpha-emitting radionuclide, for targeted cancer therapy
- Proprietary radiolabeling technology for efficient and stable conjugation of astatine-211 to antibodies
- Focus on rapidly accessible tumor targets suitable for alpha-immunotherapy
- Lead candidate, ATO-101, targets non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC)
- Intravesical instillation delivery method for direct targeting of bladder cancer cells
- Designed to eradicate residual microscopic disease and isolated tumor cells
- Potential for improved patient outcomes and reduced recurrence rates