ADC Pioneer Glenn Gormley to Steer Aktis Oncology's Next Chapter

BOSTON, MA – April 16, 2026 – Aktis Oncology (NASDAQ:AKTS) today signaled a major strategic enhancement to its leadership, appointing renowned biopharmaceutical research and development veteran Glenn Gormley, MD, PhD, to its Board of Directors. The move, which places a key architect of the modern antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) revolution at the heart of a leading radiopharmaceutical company, is seen by industry observers as a deliberate move to accelerate Aktis's evolution from a promising platform company into a clinical execution powerhouse.

Dr. Gormley will also co-chair a newly formed Science and Technology Committee, a role that will leverage his extensive experience in guiding blockbuster oncology medicines to market. The appointment coincides with the planned departure of two of the company’s foundational board members, Helen Kim and Oleg Nodelman, effective May 20, 2026, marking a pivotal transition for the clinical-stage firm as it advances its ambitious pipeline.

“We are delighted to welcome Glenn to our Board as we continue to make significant progress toward upcoming clinical and corporate milestones,” said Matthew Roden, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of Aktis Oncology. “Glenn brings deep expertise in global biopharmaceutical leadership and oncology innovation, having guided several blockbuster medicines to approval.”

A Strategic Infusion of ADC Expertise

Dr. Gormley’s appointment is particularly notable for his recent tenure at Daiichi Sankyo, where as Global Head of Research and Development, he was instrumental in building the company’s formidable ADC platform. His leadership is credited with creating an inflection point in the ADC field, transforming the technology into a pillar of modern cancer treatment. This background is profoundly relevant to Aktis, which operates in the adjacent, rapidly advancing field of targeted radiopharmaceuticals.

Both ADCs and radiopharmaceuticals are precision medicines designed to deliver a cytotoxic payload directly to cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. Dr. Roden specifically highlighted this synergy, noting, “Glenn’s instrumental role in leading the discovery and development of a new generation of optimized, novel antibody drug conjugate (ADC) formats... is highly relevant to our vision of broadening the impact of targeted radiopharmaceuticals to large patient populations in need of new treatment options.”

Dr. Gormley’s three-decade career also includes senior leadership roles at AstraZeneca, where he served as Chief Medical Officer, and Novartis, where he was Global Head of Clinical Development and Medical Affairs. This deep well of experience in late-stage development and global regulatory strategy is precisely what a company like Aktis needs as its own candidates progress through the clinic.

Boardroom Evolution Signals Clinical Maturity

The simultaneous announcement that founding Series A investors Helen Kim of Vida Ventures and Oleg Nodelman of EcoR1 Capital will step down from the board underscores the company's strategic evolution. Their five-year tenure saw Aktis grow from a private startup to a publicly traded, clinical-stage company with a robust pipeline.

Todd Foley, Co-Founder and Chairman of Aktis Oncology, framed their departure as a successful transition. “On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Helen and Oleg for their commitment to Aktis from our earliest days... through our transition to a clinical-stage, publicly traded company,” he stated. “We are deeply grateful for their five years of service, which helped us establish a strong foundation for the Company and shape our ambitious strategy and vision for the future.”

This transition from venture capital-focused directors to a seasoned R&D leader is a classic sign of a biotech company maturing. With a strong financial foundation, including a pro forma cash position of $562.1 million after its January 2026 IPO, Aktis is shifting its governance focus from fundraising and early strategy to the scientific and logistical complexities of late-stage clinical development and potential commercialization.

Powering a Pipeline in a Competitive Field

Dr. Gormley joins Aktis at a time of significant momentum for the company and intense interest in the radiopharmaceutical sector. The company's proprietary miniprotein radioconjugate platform is designed to deliver potent alpha-emitting isotopes, like Actinium-225, with high tumor penetration and rapid clearance from the body to minimize side effects.

Its lead program, AKY-1189, targets Nectin-4 and is currently in a Phase 1b trial for a wide range of solid tumors, including urothelial, breast, and lung cancer. The program received a U.S. FDA Fast Track designation for urothelial cancer in February 2026, potentially expediting its development. A second program, AKY-2519, targeting B7-H3 in tumors like prostate and lung cancer, received IND clearance in March 2026 and is slated to begin clinical trials in the middle of this year.

The company’s potential is further validated by a major strategic collaboration with Eli Lilly, initiated in May 2024. The deal, which included a $60 million upfront payment and up to $1.1 billion in potential milestones, has Lilly leveraging Aktis's platform for its own targets. This move is part of a broader industry trend, with pharmaceutical giants like Lilly (which acquired Point Biopharma for $1.4 billion) and Novartis (owner of blockbusters Lutathera and Pluvicto) investing heavily to secure a foothold in the burgeoning targeted radiotherapy market.

Charting the Scientific Course

The creation of the Science and Technology Committee, co-chaired by Dr. Gormley, institutionalizes high-level scientific oversight at the board level. This body will be critical for navigating the complex technical challenges of the field, from isotope supply chain logistics to optimizing the design of next-generation radioconjugates. It ensures that strategic decisions are rigorously vetted against the latest scientific and clinical data.

Dr. Gormley himself expressed enthusiasm for this challenge and his confidence in the company’s direction. “I am thrilled to work with the Aktis Board and leadership team as the Company continues to gain momentum in broadening the reach and unique benefits of targeted radiopharmaceuticals for patients,” he said. “I am impressed not only by Aktis’ novel miniprotein radioconjugate platform, but also by its robust end-to-end supply chain to ensure reliability and scalability of product delivery, which I see as key differentiators for Aktis as a next-generation radiopharmaceuticals leader.”

With a validated platform, a well-funded pipeline, and now the added expertise of a proven oncology drug developer, Aktis Oncology has fortified its position to navigate the competitive landscape and advance its goal of delivering a new class of powerful cancer treatments to patients.