Israeli Biotech Starget Pharma Raises $18M to Advance AI-Driven Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Therapies
Key Insights
Starget Pharma (search) completed an $18 million Series A funding round to advance its Smart Targeted Radioligands (search) (STRs) for precision oncology therapies.
The company will begin advanced clinical trials this year in collaboration with MD Anderson Cancer Center for a first-of-its-kind treatment targeting sarcoma, skin cancer, and neuroendocrine tumors.
Starget's AI-based discovery platform enables faster development of precision radioactive drugs that use the same molecule for both diagnosis and treatment.
Israeli oncological treatment startup Starget Pharma (search) has completed an $18 million Series A financing round to advance its radioactive oncological treatments, bringing the company's total funding to $38 million since its founding in 2019. The round was led by Tel Aviv-listed Ilex Medical (search), which previously led a funding round in 2021, alongside US investors including Louisiana Growth Fund and Cancer Focus Fund BRF.
The new funding will enable the company to begin advanced clinical trials this year in collaboration with MD Anderson Cancer Center for what it describes as a first-of-its-kind treatment targeting sarcoma, skin cancer, and neuroendocrine tumors. Additionally, the financing supports expansion of the company's development and manufacturing infrastructure in the US.
AI-Driven Radiopharmaceutical Platform
Starget Pharma (search) operates in the radiopharmaceuticals field, developing Smart Targeted Radioligands (search) (STRs) that combine therapeutic drugs with radioactive isotopes for cancer diagnosis and targeted treatment while minimizing damage to healthy tissue. The company's approach leverages an AI-based discovery platform to identify new radiotherapy drugs that could be effective against various cancer types.
"We combine Israeli strength in the field of AI with breakthroughs in nuclear medicine," said Starget Pharma (search) cofounder and CEO Sigal Kalmanson Kusnir. "The AI platform we developed allows us to discover and develop precision radioactive drugs at a faster pace than is customary in the industry, in order to bring the promise of the field to various types of cancer."
Theranostic Approach
One of the main advantages of Starget's approach is the use of the same molecular platform for both diagnosis and treatment. The molecule is first administered with a diagnostic isotope to assess tumor uptake through imaging. If imaging confirms strong uptake in the tumor, the same molecule is paired with a more potent therapeutic isotope to deliver targeted treatment.
This theranostic strategy allows clinicians to first determine through imaging whether a patient's tumor will respond to treatment before administering the therapeutic dose, potentially improving treatment outcomes and reducing unnecessary exposure to radiation.
Strategic Partnerships and Pipeline
In parallel with the funding announcement, Starget revealed a strategic collaboration with the Center for Molecular Imaging and Therapy (CMIT) in Louisiana to advance the development and manufacturing processes of its next-generation targeted radiopharmaceuticals.
The company's lead product is based on an exclusive license from ARC, Sheba Medical Center's innovation arm, developed at the Center for Advanced Technologies (CART) at Sheba under the leadership of Prof. Aryeh Orenstein and his team. Another innovative drug candidate, based on the company's AI platform and targeting breast and prostate cancer, is expected to enter clinical trials in Australia next year.
Company Background
Founded in 2019 by CEO Sigal Kalmanson Cusnir and her brother Ronen Kalmanson, Starget Pharma (search) employs 20 people at its headquarters in Ness Ziona, Israel. The company represents the growing intersection of artificial intelligence and nuclear medicine in precision oncology, aiming to accelerate the development timeline for radioactive cancer treatments.