Aptevo Forms 50/50 Radiopharmaceutical Collaboration with Niowave, 7.9% Stake
APVO•Aptevo Therapeutics formed a 50/50 collaboration with Niowave to develop three radiopharmaceutical oncology programs, with Niowave acquiring a 7.9% stake and up to 19.99% via warrants. It pairs Aptevo’s ADAPTIR platform targeting Nectin-4 with Niowave’s Actinium-225 production expertise to advance targeted alpha therapies in a supply-constrained market.
1. Collaboration Structure
Aptevo and Niowave launched a joint 50/50 strategic collaboration to develop up to three radiopharmaceutical oncology programs. Aptevo will contribute assets from its proprietary ADAPTIR and ADAPTIR-FLEX multispecific antibody platforms, while Niowave will provide radioisotopes and manufacturing expertise, including Actinium-225.
2. Equity Investment
Niowave made an at-the-market equity investment acquiring 7.9% of Aptevo’s common stock at closing and holds warrants exercisable to raise its stake to 19.99% at a premium, aligning incentives for long-term development of the collaboration programs.
3. Platform and Target
The initial program will leverage Aptevo’s targeting asset against Nectin-4, a clinically validated solid tumor antigen, delivering a radioactive payload via multispecific engineering. This merges precise antibody targeting with Niowave’s supply-scale isotope production to address complex tumor environments.
4. Strategic Market Impact
Radiopharmaceutical therapies represent a high-growth oncology segment constrained by isotope access. This partnership positions both companies to capitalize on supply-scarcity advantages and advance targeted alpha therapies for difficult-to-treat cancers, potentially accelerating clinical proof-of-concept.
