Rakovina Therapeutics Inc. and Saudi-based NanoPalm Ltd. have announced a strategic partnership to advance AI-discovered cancer therapeutics through a joint venture that combines artificial intelligence-powered drug discovery with next-generation lipid nanoparticle delivery technology. The collaboration will initially focus on kt-3283, a dual PARP-HDAC inhibitor that has shown promising preclinical results across multiple cancer types.
Novel Dual-Target Approach Shows Preclinical Promise
kt-3283 represents a unique therapeutic approach by simultaneously targeting both PARP and HDAC pathways, two critical cancer survival mechanisms. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that the compound induces DNA damage, disrupts cell-cycle progression, and produces enhanced cytotoxicity compared to currently approved PARP and HDAC inhibitors. The drug has shown particularly strong activity in Ewing sarcoma, breast, and ovarian cancer models, with data presented at major oncology conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals.
The compound targets DNA damage response pathways that are commonly altered in cancer, with these deficiencies present in approximately 75 percent of solid cancers according to company materials. By inhibiting both PARP and HDAC simultaneously, kt-3283 has demonstrated increased DNA damage and disruption of cell cycle progression in preclinical testing.
AI-Powered Discovery Meets Advanced Delivery Technology
The partnership brings together two complementary platforms: Rakovina's AI-enabled drug discovery engine, powered by an exclusive license to the proprietary Deep Docking™ platform, and NanoPalm's next-generation self-targeting patterned lipid nanoparticle (pLNP) delivery system. Rakovina's platform can rapidly screen billions of molecules against validated cancer targets and predict drug-like characteristics in silico, while NanoPalm's AI-designed delivery system enhances the precision and efficacy of therapeutic delivery.
"This collaboration brings together complementary expertise in drug discovery and delivery technologies," said Jeffrey Bacha, Executive Chairman of Rakovina Therapeutics. "kt-3283 represents the first of what we believe could be multiple novel therapeutics that emerge from this alliance, offering a robust pipeline for development and future commercialization."
NanoPalm's pLNP technology, originally developed for gene therapy, uses AI-assisted formulation design and tunable shape and surface characteristics to improve tissue specificity, intracellular delivery, and systemic tolerability. The platform has been validated in multiple preclinical gene therapy programs, demonstrating superior delivery precision and biodistribution compared to conventional lipid nanoparticles.
Strategic Saudi Arabia Hub for Global Development
The joint venture will be domiciled in Saudi Arabia with a worldwide development and commercialization mandate, representing the first pLNP-oncology-focused biotech co-founded in the Kingdom. This aligns with Saudi Arabia's National Biotechnology Strategy and leverages the region's competitive funding programs and state-of-the-art GMP-certified manufacturing facilities.
"We are excited to partner with Rakovina Therapeutics to bring our precision pLNP delivery technology into oncology for the first time," said Dr. Ali Alhasan, Founder and CEO of NanoPalm. "Our platform is uniquely suited to improve the delivery profile of small-molecule therapies, and the synergy with Rakovina's innovative discovery capabilities creates an opportunity for the potential joint venture to pursue worldwide development and commercialization opportunities."
Defined Partnership Structure and Development Timeline
Under the proposed joint venture structure, Rakovina will contribute kt-3283 drug substance and additional AI-discovered small-molecule drug candidates, along with supporting validation data and regulatory expertise. NanoPalm will provide its proprietary pLNP platform, biomanufacturing capabilities, and clinical support infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.
The partners will co-fund the joint venture and pursue third-party investment and grant opportunities, sharing equally in ownership, risk, and potential returns. Development activities will be coordinated under a mutually agreed governance structure, with initial preclinical validation conducted at Rakovina's research facilities at the University of British Columbia and manufacturing studies conducted by NanoPalm in Saudi Arabia.
The collaboration will follow international regulatory standards, including those of the FDA, EMA, and Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA). Intellectual property arising from the collaboration will be jointly owned, while each party retains ownership of its background technology.
Financial Position and Market Context
According to a June 2025 research update by Dr. Douglas Loe of Leede Financial Inc., Rakovina held CA$100,000 in cash at the end of Q1 2025, with expectations of increased funding from a previously announced CA$4 million equity financing. The company's CA$900,000 R&D expenditure for the quarter was described as consistent with its development stage, particularly given its partnerships with the University of British Columbia and Variational AI.
The broader AI oncology market continues to evolve rapidly, with Coherent Market Insights projecting significant growth in the artificial intelligence in oncology segment. The World Economic Forum noted in an August 2025 report that while healthcare has remained "below average" in AI adoption compared to other sectors, AI digital health solutions hold potential to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve health outcomes globally.
Recent industry activity has demonstrated strong interest in DNA damage response therapies, with over US$25 billion invested in related transactions by major pharmaceutical companies in recent years. The joint venture aims to leverage this momentum by combining discovery and delivery innovations to advance cancer therapeutics on a global scale.
