Lilly takes another dip into radiopharma, via deal with Aktis Oncology

Taking another step into the sector, US pharma major Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) has signed an agreement with Boston, USA-based biotech firm Aktis Oncology, to generate anticancer radiopharmaceuticals using the latter’s novel miniprotein technology platform.

The collaboration draws on Aktis' proprietary radiopharmaceutical platform together with Lilly's expertise in oncology drug development and commercialization, with the goal of developing first-in-class and differentiated therapeutics for a range of solid tumors.

Last year Lilly punted $1.4 billion on the acquisition of Point Biopharma, gaining rights to PNT2002, a prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) targeted radioligand therapy in development for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) after progression on hormonal treatment. The US major also has a deal with Australia’s Telix Pharmaceuticals (ASX: TLX).