Alpha-9 Oncology
Alpha-9 Oncology is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing targeted radiopharmaceuticals using alpha-emitting (Actinium-225) and beta-emitting (Lutetium-177) isotopes to treat solid and hematologic malignancies, with initial clinical focus on MC1R-positive melanoma patients post-immunotherapy progression.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersVancouver, Canada
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Alpha-9 Oncology does
Alpha-9 Oncology is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company founded in 2019 as a spinout from the University of British Columbia and BC Cancer, headquartered in Vancouver, BC with a U.S. headquarters in Boston, MA. The company develops targeted radiopharmaceuticals for the treatment of solid and hematologic malignancies, with current clinical focus on MC1R-positive melanoma. Its pipeline includes A9-3202, a Gallium-68-based diagnostic imaging agent, and A9-3408, an Actinium-225-based therapeutic radiopharmaceutical — both of which entered Phase 1 studies in 2024 and 2025 respectively. Clinical data from the A9-3202 imaging study showed 92% of post-immunotherapy melanoma patients exhibited strong MC1R expression, establishing a patient selection biomarker ahead of therapeutic efficacy readouts.
Alpha-9's core technology is a proprietary bespoke molecule design platform that systematically optimizes each radiopharmaceutical component — binder (peptide, small molecule, or biologic), linker, chelator, and radioisotope — to achieve high tumor-specific uptake and stability. The platform leverages both alpha-emitting isotopes (Actinium-225, causing double-stranded DNA breaks) and beta-emitting isotopes (Lutetium-177, causing single-stranded DNA breaks), and includes an exclusively licensed one-step F-18 radiolabeling platform from co-founder Dr. David Perrin. The company has also developed proprietary formulation expertise targeting week-long shelf-life for commercial viability.
Alpha-9 is pre-revenue and operates a clinical development business model with no commercialized products. The company has raised $261 million across three equity rounds — $11M Series A (April 2021, Longitude Capital), $75M Series B (December 2022, Nextech Invest), and $175M Series C (October 2024, Lightspeed and Ascenta Capital) — from a syndicate that includes a16z Bio + Health, General Catalyst, RA Capital, Frazier Life Sciences, and Samsara BioCapital. Future revenue is expected to derive from selling approved radiopharmaceutical therapeutics to cancer centers and nuclear medicine departments via an enterprise field sales motion. The company has secured isotope supply agreements with ITM, NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes, Eckert & Ziegler, and Isotopia to support clinical and eventual commercial supply chains.
Alpha-9 Oncology firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Alpha-9 Oncology
- Legal name
- Alpha-9 Oncology Inc.
- Website
- https://a9oncology.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Alpha-9 Oncology is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing targeted radiopharmaceuticals using alpha-emitting (Actinium-225) and beta-emitting (Lutetium-177) isotopes to treat solid and hematologic malignancies, with initial clinical focus on MC1R-positive melanoma patients post-immunotherapy progression.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Alpha-9 Oncology industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Radiopharmaceuticals / Targeted Oncology Therapeutics
- NAICS
- Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (3254), Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), In-Vitro Diagnostic Substance Manufacturing (325413)
- SIC
- Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Therapeutic Radiopharmaceuticals (Radioligand/Targeted Radionuclide Therapy) (HLAIAGAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Theranostic Radiopharmaceutical Platforms (Paired Dx/Tx) (HLAIAGAC), Medical Oncology (HLAKAFAB)
Keywords
Where Alpha-9 Oncology is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Vancouver
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Alpha-9 Oncology business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Radiopharmaceutical Drug Development: The company is pre-revenue and in clinical development stage. Future revenue will come from commercializing radiopharmaceutical therapeutics for cancer treatment. The company is advancing a portfolio of clinical and preclinical programs across multiple targets and tumor indications.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
Alpha-9 Oncology product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Alpha-9 Oncology is a clinical-stage radiopharmaceutical company developing targeted imaging and therapeutic molecules for solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. Its pipeline is built on a proprietary bespoke molecule design platform that pairs cancer-targeting binders (peptides, small molecules, or biologics) with therapeutic radioisotopes (Actinium-225 and Lutetium-177) to deliver precision radiation to tumor cells while sparing healthy tissue. Lead clinical assets include A9-3202, a Gallium-68 MC1R-targeted diagnostic imaging agent, and A9-3408, an Actinium-225-based therapeutic radiopharmaceutical, both in Phase 1 trials for melanoma.
Product overview
Alpha-9 Oncology is a clinical-stage radiopharmaceutical company developing a portfolio of targeted radiopharmaceuticals for cancer treatment. The company operates a proprietary molecular design platform that systematically optimizes each component of the radiopharmaceutical—binder, linker, chelator, and radioisotope—to create bespoke molecules with superior tumor uptake and stability. Alpha-9's portfolio includes both diagnostic imaging agents (such as A9-3202, a Gallium-68-based MC1R targeting agent) and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals (such as A9-3408, an Actinium-225-based radiotherapeutic). The company works with both alpha-emitting isotopes (Actinium-225) that cause double-stranded DNA breaks and beta-emitting isotopes (Lutetium-177) that cause single-stranded DNA breaks.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- A9-3202 A Gallium-68 (68Ga)-based diagnostic imaging agent that targets melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) for the imaging of locally advanced or metastatic melanoma. In Alpha-9's clinical studies, A9-3202 identified 92% of patients with strong MC1R expression after progression on immunotherapy, enabling patient selection for the A9-3408 therapeutic study. Intended for use in nuclear medicine imaging of cancer patients who are candidates for MC1R-targeted radiopharmaceutical therapy.
- A9-3408 An Actinium-225 (Ac-225)-based therapeutic radiopharmaceutical that targets melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) for the treatment of patients with melanoma. The Phase 1 study is a multi-center, open-label trial evaluating safety, dosimetry, and dose escalation in patients with MC1R-positive melanoma who have progressed on standard-of-care therapies including immunotherapy. Alpha-emitters such as Ac-225 cause double-stranded DNA breaks in cancer cells.
Quantifiable outcome
- 92% of melanoma patients showed strong MC1R expression after progression on immunotherapy in A9-3202 imaging study
Companies that use Alpha-9 Oncology
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Alpha-9 Oncology technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Alpha-9 Oncology partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- ITM Isotope Technologies Munich SEcoreSupply agreement for therapeutic medical radioisotope Actinium-225 (Ac-225), produced by Actineer Inc. (joint venture between ITM and Canadian Nuclear Laboratories). ITM is the world's largest supplier of n.c.a. Lutetium-177 and a valued partner for Alpha-9's clinical programs.
- ITM Isotope Technologies Munich SEcoreGlobal master clinical supply agreement for non-carrier-added Lutetium-177 (n.c.a. 177Lu) for Alpha-9's radiopharmaceutical therapy pipeline candidates.
- NorthStar Medical RadioisotopesmajorLong-term strategic supply agreement for non-carrier-added Actinium-225 (n.c.a. Ac-225). NorthStar is positioned to be one of the first commercial-scale producers of n.c.a. Ac-225 using proprietary electron accelerator technology.
- Isotopia Molecular ImagingmajorGlobal clinical supply agreement for non-carrier-added Lutetium-177 for preclinical and clinical development of Alpha-9's radiopharmaceutical pipeline.
- Eckert & ZieglermajorClinical supply agreement for Lutetium-177 (non-carrier-added 177Lu) for clinical trials of Alpha-9's therapeutic candidates. Also signed Ac-225 reservation agreement in October 2022 for priority access to GMP grade Actinium-225.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Alpha-9 Oncology competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Lantheus Holdings: Lantheus is the leading publicly-traded radiopharmaceutical company with multiple approved products (e.g., Pylarify, Definity) and a deep pipeline. It is a broad incumbent in the same therapeutic radiopharmaceutical space where Alpha-9 operates, and is the former employer of Alpha-9's new CEO Paul Blanchfield, making it the most direct strategic comparable.
- Novartis (Pluvicto franchise): Novartis commercializes Pluvicto, the first commercially successful targeted radioligand therapy, which has validated the entire radiopharmaceutical therapeutic category. As the dominant incumbent in radioligand therapy, Novartis sets the competitive benchmark and commercial standard Alpha-9's pipeline is being developed against.
- Bayer (Xofigo franchise):
- Curium Pharma: Curium is one of the world's largest radiopharmaceutical companies, focused on diagnostic imaging agents and SPECT products. As a vertically integrated radiopharma with manufacturing, supply, and commercial capabilities, Curium represents a broader incumbent and potential strategic partner.
Direct peers
- POINT Biopharma (acquired by Eli Lilly): POINT was a clinical-stage radiopharmaceutical company developing targeted radioligand therapies for cancer, with a similar platform approach combining alpha and beta emitters. POINT was acquired by Eli Lilly for $1.4B in 2023, making it a direct comparable in the clinical-stage radiopharma space Alpha-9 occupies.
- Telix Pharmaceuticals: Telix is a commercial-stage radiopharmaceutical company with an approved PSMA imaging agent (Illuccix) and a pipeline of therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals. It competes directly in the targeted radioligand therapy space and represents a publicly-traded, more mature peer to Alpha-9.
- Fusion Pharmaceuticals (acquired by AstraZeneca): Fusion was a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing targeted alpha therapies using Actinium-225. Acquired by AstraZeneca for $2.4B in 2024, it is one of the most direct comparables to Alpha-9 given its focus on alpha-emitting radiopharmaceuticals and similar clinical-stage profile.
- RayzeBio (acquired by Bristol-Myers Squibb): RayzeBio was a clinical-stage radiopharmaceutical company focused on actinium-225-based radiopharmaceuticals for solid tumors. Acquired by BMS for $4.1B in 2024, it is a direct peer in the alpha-emitter radiopharmaceutical space and an example of the high M&A premium commanded by clinical-stage assets.
Others
- ITM Isotope Technologies Munich: ITM is a leading radiopharmaceutical biotech and a major supplier of medical radioisotopes (Lutetium-177, Actinium-225) to Alpha-9 and the broader industry. While not a direct competitor, ITM is a strategic supply partner and is also developing its own radiotherapeutic pipeline, making it a relevant peer and ecosystem player.
Emerging players
- Actinium Pharmaceuticals: Actinium Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage company developing antibody-radiation-conjugates using Actinium-225 and Iodine-131. While focused on a different delivery vehicle (antibodies vs. Alpha-9's peptides/small molecules), it is a relevant emerging player in the alpha-emitter radiopharmaceutical space.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Alpha-9 Oncology social profiles
Digital presenceAlpha-9 Oncology financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Alpha-9 Oncology leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Alpha-9 Oncology funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors18 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Alpha-9 Oncology M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Alpha-9 Oncology
What does Alpha-9 Oncology do?
Alpha-9 Oncology is a clinical-stage radiopharmaceutical company developing targeted imaging and therapeutic molecules for solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. Its pipeline is built on a proprietary bespoke molecule design platform that pairs cancer-targeting binders (peptides, small molecules, or biologics) with therapeutic radioisotopes (Actinium-225 and Lutetium-177) to deliver precision radiation to tumor cells while sparing healthy tissue. Lead clinical assets include A9-3202, a Gallium-68 MC1R-targeted diagnostic imaging agent, and A9-3408, an Actinium-225-based therapeutic radiopharmaceutical, both in Phase 1 trials for melanoma.
Is Alpha-9 Oncology a public or private company?
Alpha-9 Oncology is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Alpha-9 Oncology founded?
Alpha-9 Oncology was founded in 2019. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Alpha-9 Oncology based?
Alpha-9 Oncology is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Alpha-9 Oncology make money?
One revenue line is on record: radiopharmaceutical Drug Development.
Who are Alpha-9 Oncology's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Lantheus Holdings, Novartis (Pluvicto franchise), Bayer (Xofigo franchise) and Curium Pharma. Direct peers are POINT Biopharma (acquired by Eli Lilly), Telix Pharmaceuticals, Fusion Pharmaceuticals (acquired by AstraZeneca) and RayzeBio (acquired by Bristol-Myers Squibb). ITM Isotope Technologies Munich is listed as an others. Actinium Pharmaceuticals is listed as an emerging player.
Does Alpha-9 Oncology have an API?
No public API is recorded for Alpha-9 Oncology.
What industry is Alpha-9 Oncology in?
Alpha-9 Oncology's product category is Radiopharmaceuticals / Targeted Oncology Therapeutics. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAIAGAB, Therapeutic Radiopharmaceuticals (Radioligand/Targeted Radionuclide Therapy), with a secondary code of HLAIAGAC, Theranostic Radiopharmaceutical Platforms (Paired Dx/Tx). Its NAICS code is 3254 and its SIC code is 2834.