SpiroChem and ITM form radiopharmaceutical discovery partnership

SpiroChem and ITM announced a strategic collaboration on Sept. 9, 2026, to discover a novel radiopharmaceutical candidate for ITM’s pipeline. The deal combines SpiroChem’s chemistry and screening platforms with ITM’s radiopharma development expertise as both companies look to expand precision oncology options.

Why it matters: - The collaboration could add a new first-in-class radiopharmaceutical candidate to ITM’s pipeline. - The work targets a solid tumor with limited treatment options, pointing to a potential precision oncology application. - ITM already has 13 radiopharmaceutical drug candidates spanning preclinical development through Phase 3, so this program adds breadth to an active pipeline.

What happened: - SpiroChem AG and ITM Isotope Technologies Munich SE announced a strategic drug discovery collaboration on Sept. 9, 2026, in Basel, Switzerland. - The partnership is designed to advance a novel radiopharmaceutical candidate for ITM’s pipeline. - No target details or financial terms were disclosed. - The companies said the program will focus on a small molecule targeting agent for a cancer-associated marker in a solid tumor indication.

The details: - SpiroChem will lead hit identification and optimization. - ITM will contribute radiopharmaceutical research and development expertise from preclinical through clinical stages. - The collaboration combines SpiroChem’s advanced drug discovery platforms, macrocycle libraries and screening engine with ITM’s radiopharmaceutical development capabilities. - The partners aim to identify high-affinity binders and advance a potential first-in-class radiopharmaceutical candidate. - SpiroChem CEO and co-founder Thomas Fessard said the program reflects the company’s approach to complex chemistry-led discovery and its ability to support the full design-make-test cycle. - ITM CEO Dr. Andrew Cavey said the agreement adds new drug discovery capabilities and supports the company’s effort to grow its radiopharmaceutical pipeline around novel biological targets. - SpiroChem is a Swiss Partner Research Organization and ETH Zürich spin-off focused on complex medicinal chemistry and integrated drug discovery. - SpiroChem’s platform includes the SpiroQuest macrocycle library, Hercules+ discovery platform and technologies from Cyclenium Pharma. - ITM is a radiopharmaceutical biotech company focused on therapeutics and diagnostics for hard-to-treat tumors. - ITM said its broad precision oncology pipeline includes multiple Phase 3 studies.

Between the lines: - The deal gives ITM access to external discovery capacity without disclosing a large upfront transaction structure. - The partnership suggests both companies see chemistry-driven target discovery as a way to find harder-to-reach cancer therapies. - For SpiroChem, the agreement is a chance to apply its discovery platforms in a high-value radiopharmaceutical setting.

What's next: - SpiroChem and ITM will work to identify and optimize chemical matter for the program. - The collaboration will progress through preclinical discovery, with the potential to move into later development if the candidate advances. - ITM is likely to keep expanding its pipeline through additional targeting programs as it pursues precision oncology opportunities.

The bottom line: - The partnership pairs discovery chemistry with radiopharma development to chase a new cancer-targeting candidate for ITM’s expanding pipeline. - More information