NUCLIDIUM Secures CHF 105M for Copper-Based Cancer Therapies

BASEL, Switzerland / MUNICH, Germany – May 27, 2026 – By Brian Richardson

Clinical-stage radiopharmaceutical company NUCLIDIUM AG announced today the successful closing of an oversubscribed Series B extension, injecting an additional CHF 26.4 million (EUR 28.4 million) into its coffers. The move brings the total capital raised in its Series B round to a formidable CHF 105 million (approximately EUR 115 million), signaling strong investor confidence in the company's pioneering approach to fighting cancer.

The financing will be pivotal in accelerating the clinical development of NUCLIDIUM’s lead programs, which target metastatic prostate and breast cancers, two areas with significant unmet medical needs.

A Resounding Vote of Confidence in a Hot Market

The financing round was notably led by existing investors, a powerful endorsement of the company's progress and potential. The consortium includes Kurma Growth Opportunities Fund, Angelini Ventures, Wellington Partners, and Neva SGR of the Intesa Sanpaolo Group. They were joined by new participants DeepTech & Climate Fonds (DTCF), Bayern Kapital, Vives Partners, and NRW.BANK, further broadening the base of support.

This influx of capital arrives as the radiopharmaceuticals sector experiences a period of explosive growth. Market analysts project the global radiopharmaceuticals market, valued at over USD 16 billion in 2024, to potentially surpass USD 26 billion by 2032. This surge is driven by an increasing prevalence of cancer, a demand for more personalized treatments, and technological advancements that are making "theranostics"—a combination of diagnostics and therapeutics—a clinical reality.

Investors have clearly identified NUCLIDIUM as a key player in this evolving landscape. In a joint statement, representatives for the participating investors, including Regina Hodits of Angelini Ventures, Daniel Parera of Kurma Partners, and Mario Costantini of Neva SGR, highlighted the company's unique position. “Radiopharmaceuticals are one of the most compelling growth opportunities in oncology today. NUCLIDIUM has established clear differentiation with its copper-based radiotheranostic approach, demonstrating clinical superiority to competing radioligands and ease-of-use that supports seamless integration into hospital workflow.”

The Copper Advantage: A New Frontier in Theranostics

At the heart of NUCLIDIUM's strategy is its innovative use of copper isotopes. The company has developed a "true theranostic" platform that pairs Copper-61 (Cu-61) for diagnostic imaging with Copper-67 (Cu-67) for targeted therapy. This approach allows for what the company calls a "direct conversion" from diagnosis to treatment.

Unlike conventional theranostic pairings which often use different elements for imaging and therapy—such as Gallium-68 for diagnostics and Lutetium-177 for treatment—NUCLIDIUM’s method uses the same targeting molecule attached to two chemically identical isotopes of copper. This chemical symmetry is crucial. It ensures that the diagnostic agent (Cu-61) and the therapeutic agent (Cu-67) behave identically within the body, binding to the same cancer cells. This allows clinicians to see precisely where the therapeutic dose will go, enabling more accurate tumor staging and personalized dose calculations, a significant step forward in precision oncology.

"Emerging data from our Phase 1/2 diagnostics studies continue to generate strong momentum for NUCLIDIUM’S true radiotheranostics approach," said Leila Jaafar, PhD, CEO and Co-Founder of NUCLIDIUM. "We will build on our programs’ best-in-class potential by initiating Phase 1/2a therapeutic studies for NU-101 and NU-201 later this year, demonstrating our direct conversion strategy from diagnosis to treatment."

This copper-based platform is also designed to tackle one of the radiopharmaceutical industry's biggest hurdles: manufacturing and supply chain logistics. The company has developed a cassette-based kit system that simplifies the production of its radiotracers in medical cyclotrons, which are more widely available than the nuclear reactors required for some other isotopes.

Advancing the Fight Against Metastatic Cancers

The new funding will directly fuel the advancement of NUCLIDIUM’s two lead candidates into more advanced clinical trials. The programs target some of the most challenging forms of cancer.

NU101 is being developed for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), an advanced form of the disease where the cancer continues to grow despite hormonal therapy. Early diagnostic data for the program, presented at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) 2025 meeting, demonstrated a favorable safety profile and suggested improved imaging performance compared to current standards.

NU201 targets metastatic breast cancer (mBC), another area where new therapeutic options are desperately needed. Both NU101 and NU201 have completed initial diagnostic trials and are poised to enter Phase 1/2a therapeutic studies later this year.

The promise of these therapies lies in their ability to deliver highly targeted radiation directly to cancer cells throughout the body, sparing much of the surrounding healthy tissue. This approach has the potential to offer a powerful new treatment option for patients who have exhausted other avenues, improving both survival rates and quality of life.

Building a Global Production and Supply Network

Beyond advancing its clinical pipeline, NUCLIDIUM has allocated a portion of the new funds to a critical strategic goal: building out its worldwide production and manufacturing network. This proactive approach aims to ensure that if and when its therapies receive regulatory approval, the company can meet global demand without the supply bottlenecks that have plagued other radiopharmaceutical launches.

The company is already establishing partnerships in key markets. An agreement with Pharmalogic Holdings Corp. for the production and clinical supply of Copper-61 in the United States is a clear example of this strategy in motion. By creating a decentralized, scalable manufacturing network, NUCLIDIUM aims to ensure its innovative copper-based treatments are not only clinically superior but also readily accessible to patients who need them. This focus on the entire lifecycle, from isotope production to final clinical delivery, underscores the company's comprehensive vision to unlock the full potential of radiotheranostics.