On Target Laboratories
On Target Laboratories is a privately held biotech company that develops and commercializes CYTALUX, the first FDA-approved targeted intraoperative molecular imaging agent used during ovarian and lung cancer surgery to illuminate malignant tissue in real time for hospital surgical teams.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersNorthbrook, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What On Target Laboratories does
On Target Laboratories is a privately held biotechnology company developing small-molecule intraoperative molecular imaging agents that illuminate cancerous tissue in real time during surgery. The company's flagship product, CYTALUX (pafolacianine) injection, is the first and only FDA-approved targeted molecular imaging agent for intraoperative visualization of ovarian and lung cancer, combining a near-infrared fluorescent dye with a targeting ligand that binds folate receptors overexpressed on cancer cells. The technology traces to Philip S. Low's pioneering folate-receptor research at Purdue University and is administered as a single IV infusion prior to surgery to allow surgeons to detect additional malignant lesions — including sub-surface lesions invisible under white light — that would otherwise be left behind.
The company generates revenue through hospital purchases of CYTALUX for use in ovarian and lung cancer surgeries, with pricing not publicly disclosed but supported by a CMS New Technology Add-On Payment and dedicated ICD-10-PCS codes. On Target operates a direct enterprise field sales model: dedicated regional sales representatives partner with hospital operating rooms, pre-op, and pharmacy departments to drive clinical adoption protocols. As of mid-2025, more than 2,000 patients had been treated across U.S. states covering 85% of the population, with approximately 1,000 procedures in 2025 representing 125% growth over 2024.
On Target Laboratories is incorporated in Indiana with headquarters in West Lafayette, employs 11–50 people, and is backed by a syndicate including Johnson & Johnson Innovation, H.I.G. BioHealth Partners, Olympus, Helsinn, Elevate Ventures, 3B Future, and the Pension Fund of the Christian Church. The development pipeline targets expansion into prostate and colorectal cancers — indications that together with ovarian and lung address roughly 72% of all inpatient oncology procedures and an estimated 3 million procedures annually.
On Target Laboratories firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- On Target Laboratories
- Legal name
- On Target Laboratories, Inc.
- Website
- https://ontargetlabs.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- On Target Laboratories is a privately held biotech company that develops and commercializes CYTALUX, the first FDA-approved targeted intraoperative molecular imaging agent used during ovarian and lung cancer surgery to illuminate malignant tissue in real time for hospital surgical teams.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
On Target Laboratories industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Intraoperative Cancer Imaging Agents
- NAICS
- Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (3254), Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412)
- SIC
- In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835), Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Intraoperative Imaging & Guidance (C-arms, O-arm, IOUS, fluorescence) (HLAHADAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Gynecologic Oncology (HLAKAFAF), Oncology Diagnostics (tumor profiling, MRD, liquid biopsy) (HLAAALAE)
Keywords
Where On Target Laboratories is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Northbrook
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
On Target Laboratories business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- CYTALUX Product Sales: Sale of CYTALUX (pafolacianine) injection, an FDA-approved optical imaging agent administered via IV infusion prior to surgery. Revenue generated from hospital purchases for use in ovarian and lung cancer surgery.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | CYTALUX (pafolacianine) injection - pricing not publicly disclosed |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
On Target Laboratories product offering
Product offeringCore offering
On Target Laboratories develops and commercializes CYTALUX (pafolacianine) injection, the first FDA-approved targeted molecular imaging agent that uses near-infrared fluorescence to illuminate ovarian and lung cancer tissue in real time during surgery. The product binds to folate receptors overexpressed on cancer cells, enabling surgeons to detect additional malignant lesions that may otherwise go unnoticed under standard white-light visualization.
Product overview
On Target Laboratories is a biotech company that discovers and develops intraoperative molecular imaging agents. Their flagship product is CYTALUX (pafolacianine) injection, the first and only FDA-approved targeted molecular imaging agent capable of illuminating lung and ovarian cancer in real-time during surgery. The company is built on small molecule technology pioneered by Purdue University's Philip S. Low, PhD, utilizing near-infrared fluorescence to differentiate malignant from healthy tissue. Their development pipeline targets additional cancer types including prostate and colorectal cancers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- CYTALUX: FDA-approved intraoperative molecular imaging agent (pafolacianine) injection for illuminating cancer during surgery, approved for ovarian cancer (November 2021) and lung cancer (December 2022)
Products and services
- CYTALUX (pafolacianine) injection CYTALUX is an FDA-approved targeted near-infrared fluorescent imaging agent indicated for adult patients with ovarian cancer and lung cancer undergoing surgery. It binds to folate receptors overexpressed on cancer cells and is administered intravenously prior to surgery so surgeons can detect additional malignant tissue in real time using a near-infrared imaging system.
Quantifiable outcome
- In lung cancer trials, CYTALUX revealed hidden lesions in 20% of patients and identified previously unknown cancer in nearly 10% of cases
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use On Target Laboratories
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
On Target Laboratories technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
On Target Laboratories partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- Mauna Kea TechnologiescoreCollaboration to further explore targeted detection and real-time diagnosis of lung cancer with a molecular imaging agent. Mauna Kea Technologies provides Cellvizio confocal laser endomicroscopy system for use in conjunction with CYTALUX in clinical research.
- Purdue UniversitycoreOn Target's molecular imaging technology is based on the pioneering work of Philip S. Low, PhD, Purdue University's Presidential Scholar for Drug Discovery. The company has deep ties to Purdue for research and intellectual property development.
- OlympussupportingOlympus is listed as an investor supporting On Target's work. Olympus provides medical imaging technology that may complement CYTALUX visualization.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
On Target Laboratories competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Lantheus Holdings: Radiopharmaceutical imaging and oncology company; comparable as a developer of targeted imaging agents for cancer, providing a strategic benchmark for On Target's path to scaled oncology imaging-agent commercialization.
- Telix Pharmaceuticals: Radiopharmaceutical company with targeted diagnostic and therapeutic agents for oncology, including PSMA-targeted imaging; comparable as a competitor-developer of intra-procedural cancer visualization agents and a benchmark for theranostic commercial models.
Broad incumbents
- Stryker: Medical device incumbent with the SPY fluorescence imaging platform used intraoperatively; comparable because its NIR imaging systems are the typical hardware companion to CYTALUX in surgical oncology, and Stryker could conceivably develop or partner on competing imaging agents.
- Intuitive Surgical: Robotic surgery leader with the Firefly NIR imaging system integrated into the da Vinci platform; directly comparable intraoperative fluorescence imaging technology used during oncology procedures where CYTALUX is administered.
- Olympus: Endoscopic imaging and surgical systems provider, including NIR-capable equipment; comparable as an existing On Target investor that also sells the OR imaging hardware needed to visualize CYTALUX and could expand into imaging agents.
- Carl Zeiss Meditec: Surgical microscopy and intraoperative fluorescence imaging provider (e.g., INFRARED 800, Blue 400); comparable because its OR imaging platforms are potential alternative visualization systems for CYTALUX and the company is active in surgical oncology visualization.
- Bracco Imaging: Global diagnostic imaging company with contrast agents and imaging platforms; comparable as an established developer and distributor of imaging agents that complement surgical and radiology workflows relevant to CYTALUX.
- Philips (Image-Guided Therapy): Healthcare technology incumbent with image-guided therapy and surgical visualization offerings; comparable as a broad incumbent that could integrate or compete with intraoperative molecular imaging agents in hospital ORs.
- Medtronic: Diversified medical device leader with surgical and intraoperative imaging solutions; comparable as a large incumbent that could enter the targeted intraoperative imaging agent space and leverage established hospital channels.
Direct peers
- Mauna Kea Technologies: Cellvizio confocal laser endomicroscopy developer and an existing On Target collaboration partner; comparable as a real-time intraoperative cellular imaging company pursuing complementary lung cancer detection use cases alongside CYTALUX.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
On Target Laboratories social profiles
Digital presenceOn Target Laboratories financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
On Target Laboratories leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
On Target Laboratories funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds6 records
Investors9 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
On Target Laboratories 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 On Target Laboratories
What does On Target Laboratories do?
On Target Laboratories develops and commercializes CYTALUX (pafolacianine) injection, the first FDA-approved targeted molecular imaging agent that uses near-infrared fluorescence to illuminate ovarian and lung cancer tissue in real time during surgery. The product binds to folate receptors overexpressed on cancer cells, enabling surgeons to detect additional malignant lesions that may otherwise go unnoticed under standard white-light visualization.
Is On Target Laboratories a public or private company?
On Target Laboratories is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was On Target Laboratories founded?
On Target Laboratories was founded in 2010. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is On Target Laboratories based?
On Target Laboratories is headquartered in Northbrook, United States, in the North America region.
How does On Target Laboratories make money?
One revenue line is on record: CYTALUX Product Sales.
Who are On Target Laboratories's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Lantheus Holdings and Telix Pharmaceuticals. Broad incumbents are Stryker, Intuitive Surgical, Olympus, Carl Zeiss Meditec, Bracco Imaging, Philips (Image-Guided Therapy) and Medtronic. Mauna Kea Technologies is listed as a direct peer.
Does On Target Laboratories have an API?
No public API is recorded for On Target Laboratories.
What industry is On Target Laboratories in?
On Target Laboratories's product category is Intraoperative Cancer Imaging Agents. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAHADAH, Intraoperative Imaging & Guidance (C-arms, O-arm, IOUS, fluorescence), with a secondary code of HLAKAFAF, Gynecologic Oncology. Its NAICS code is 3254 and its SIC code is 2835.