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The experience to know how.
The dedication to make a difference.

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Radionetics Oncology Enters Into Strategic Agreement With Lilly

Our purpose

We are bringing the power of precision radiopharmaceuticals into a new era.

Radiopharmaceuticals – a class of precision oncology medicines – are poised to transform the treatment of solid tumors. By hitching a radioisotope to a small molecule, these potent therapies can selectively deliver the proven power of radiation directly to tumors throughout the body.

We are applying our deep drug discovery and development expertise against novel cancer targets from a broad class of surface receptors to produce targeted small molecule radiopharmaceuticals. We seek to create effective new treatments for cancer patients that enable us to go far beyond what’s been done before – bringing us closer to the day we can say “cure.”

Innovative approach, immense possibilities

First-in-class targets for cancer

Targeting GPCRs, a vast and largely unexplored class for radiopharmaceuticals

Differentiated small molecule approach

Broadly enabling foundational platform based on decades of drug development experience

Modular flexible platform

Radioisotope selection driven by cancer biology to ensure optimal therapeutic effect

Extensive pipeline

Moving multiple programs rapidly towards clinical development

Dual purpose enabling a targeted medicine approach

The versatile utility of radiopharmaceuticals is core to our development strategy.

Part of a treatment strategy known as theranostics, radiopharmaceuticals can be used for both therapy and diagnosis.

Radiopharmaceuticals, when tethering a radionuclide suitable for imaging, create a map of cancerous tumors in the body that provides precise diagnostic information. From the imaging results, the patients who are most likely to respond are identified and treated with individualized regiments of the therapeutic version of the same radiopharmaceutical. This precision medicine approach seeks to make substantial improvements in clinical outcomes.

Approach

Broadly enabling technology to dramatically expand the application of radiopharmaceuticals.
We deliver targeted effects of radiation via optimal drug design.
small-molecule radiopharmaceutical targeting GPCR
We have built the only platform for the rapid discovery and development of novel small molecule radiopharmaceuticals that bind to GPCRs overexpressed on cancer cells.

Small molecules, tethered with powerful radioisotopes, are designed to exquisitely bind to receptors overexpressed in cancer and deliver powerful radiation to kill tumors, without affecting normal tissue.

Our unique approach marries a vast knowledge of GPCR biology with unrivaled proficiency in small molecule medicinal chemistry to develop potent and highly selective radiopharmaceuticals. We take a fit-for-purpose approach, pinpointing the precise target and selecting the ideal small molecule ligand paired with the optimal radioisotope to achieve a therapeutic effect.

Novel targets for solid tumors

GPCR family tree showing 132 peptide and protein GPCRs
GPCRs – expansive and largely unexplored target space for radiopharmaceuticals

Largest gene family in humans

132 known protein/receptor pairs

>65 with increased tumor expression

Radionetics is advancing a pipeline of novel small molecule radioligands targeting GPCRs for the treatment of a broad range of cancers, including breast cancer, lung cancer, and other indications of high unmet need.

Investors

Frazier Life Sciences
5AM Ventures
Crinetics Pharmaceuticals
DCVC Bio
GordonMD Global investments

Corporate
Development

Lilly

July 1, 2024

Radionetics provides Lilly access to proprietary GPCR targeting small molecule radiopharmaceuticals. Radionetics receives $140 million upfront payment and Lilly obtains the exclusive right to acquire Radionetics for $1 billion.

Board
of
directors

Scott Struthers, Ph.D.
Chairman; CEO
Crinetics
Dan Estes, Ph.D.
General Partner
Frazier Life Sciences
Andy J. Schwab
Managing Partner
5AM Ventures
Zachary Hornby
CEO
Boundless Bio
Kiersten Stead, Ph.D., M.B.A.
Managing Partner
DCVC Bio
Paul Grayson
CEO
Radionetics Oncology

Careers

join us

We have a strong sense of purpose and urgency to discover new and innovative cancer treatment options.

Our team is highly collaborative and dynamic, and we are doing exciting and novel research driving radiotherapeutics into the clinic and towards patients.

Radionetics is headquartered in San Diego, California, in the heart of the thriving life sciences community. Our team includes talented individuals who are experts in their respective fields and united by a shared passion for improving the lives of cancer patients.

Radionetics has a competitive total compensation package that includes bonus opportunity; equity; medical, dental, vision, life/AD&D, short-term, and long-term disability insurance; 401(k) retirement plan; 4 weeks of paid time off annually; and generous paid holidays.

We invite you to review our open positions and submit your application if there is a suitable match with your background and experience.

positions

News

Story
1 / 7
07.01.2024

Radionetics Oncology Enters Into Strategic Agreement With Lilly

Frank Zhu headshot

Frank Zhu, Ph.D.

Chief Research Officer

Yun-Fei (Frank) Zhu, Ph.D., is a founding member of Radionetics and serves as Chief Research Officer. Prior to joining Radionetics, he was a co-founder and served as Vice President, Chemistry and a member of the Executive Leadership Team at Crinetics Pharmaceuticals Inc, where he co-led the research team to successfully discover three novel orally available small molecules that are currently in different stages of clinical trials. Prior to this, Dr. Zhu worked at Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc., including as the Director of Medicinal Chemistry in the endocrinology and metabolism group where he made significant contribution to the discovery of the FDA-approved small molecule drug, ORILISSA (elagolix). Earlier in his career, Dr. Zhu held scientific positions at CombiChem, Inc., and BioResearch, Inc. He was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of California, San Diego and holds a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Dr. Zhu has co-authored >50 peer reviewed publications and co-invented >20 patents.

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