What Akari Therapeutics does

Akari Therapeutics, Plc is a UK-incorporated, NASDAQ-listed (AKTX) clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing next-generation antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) for oncology. The company's core technology is the proprietary PH1 RNA splicing modulator payload platform, which disrupts pre-mRNA splicing within cancer cells to induce tumor cell death while simultaneously activating innate and adaptive immune responses — a mechanistic differentiator from conventional ADC payloads such as topoisomerase I inhibitors and microtubule inhibitors. Its lead candidate, AKTX-101, is a TROP2-targeting ADC with sub-nanomolar potency demonstrated across bladder, lung, and breast cancer models, including topoisomerase I inhibitor-resistant tumors; AKTX-102 targets CEACAM5 across a broader set of solid tumors. Recent breakthrough preclinical data demonstrated synergy with KRAS inhibitors in KRAS-mutated pancreatic cancer models, supporting potential combination strategies.

The company operates with a lean team (11-50 employees) across offices in London, Tampa, and California research sites, led by President and CEO Abizer Gaslightwala (appointed April 2025) following the November 2024 merger with Peak Bio, which brought in the ADC platform technology that now defines Akari's strategic focus. Revenue model is pre-commercial: Akari has no product sales or licensing income and funds operations through periodic equity financings (approximately $8.3M raised in Q2 2026 via PIPE and warrant exercises, with cumulative raises exceeding $25M since 2023). Distribution strategy assumes future commercialization through either pharmaceutical partnership/licensing arrangements or direct sales infrastructure post-IND approval. Akari holds a broad global patent portfolio covering its PH1 payload technology across the US, Europe (38 countries), China, Japan, Australia, India, Mexico, and Israel, with additional provisional patents covering immuno-oncology combinations.

Name

Akari Therapeutics

Legal name

Akari Therapeutics, Plc

Website

https://akaritx.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Akari Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing next-generation antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) using a proprietary PH1 RNA splicing modulator payload, targeting solid tumors including bladder, lung, breast, and KRAS-mutated pancreatic cancers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Oncology Therapeutics

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414)

SIC

Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836), Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)

akta.pro primary industry

Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs) & Antibody Conjugates (HLAAAAAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Protein Engineering & Directed Evolution Platforms (enzyme/therapeutic protein optimization) (HLAAAIAC), RNA Therapeutics Platforms & Design (sequence design, target ID/validation, AI/bioinformatics) (HLAAADAG)

Keywords

• Antibody drug conjugates
• Oncology therapeutics
• RNA splicing modulators
• Targeted cancer therapy
• ADC payload platform

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. ADC Pipeline Development and Commercialization: As a pre-revenue clinical-stage biotechnology company, Akari Therapeutics currently does not generate product revenue. The company is developing antibody drug conjugates (AKTX-101, AKTX-102) targeting cancer treatment, with plans to commercialize through partnerships or direct sales pending regulatory approval. Future revenue would derive from product sales, licensing agreements, and potential royalty arrangements.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Akari Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing next-generation antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) for the treatment of solid tumors. Its lead candidate AKTX-101 is a TROP2-targeting ADC powered by a proprietary PH1 RNA spliceosome-modulating payload, with AKTX-102 as a second ADC candidate targeting CEACAM5. The company plans to commercialize the pipeline via pharmaceutical partnerships or direct commercialization following regulatory approval.

Product overview

Akari Therapeutics is an oncology biotechnology company developing next-generation antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) using its proprietary PH1 RNA spliceosome-modulating payload platform. The company's lead candidate AKTX-101 targets TROP2 receptors on cancer cells, while AKTX-102 targets CEACAM5. Unlike conventional ADCs that use microtubule inhibitors or DNA-damaging agents, PH1 is a novel spliceosome modulator designed to disrupt RNA splicing within cancer cells. The platform enables the company to generate ADC candidates optimized for any antigen target of interest.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AKTX-101 A TROP2-targeting antibody drug conjugate (ADC) powered by the proprietary PH1 RNA spliceosome-modulating payload. Designed to disrupt RNA splicing within cancer cells while activating both innate and adaptive immune responses, with demonstrated sub-nanomolar potency across bladder, lung, and breast cancer models including topoisomerase I inhibitor-resistant tumors.
• AKTX-102 An ADC candidate targeting CEACAM5 (Carcinoembryonic Antigen-related Cell Adhesion Molecule-5), leveraging the proprietary PH1 spliceosome-modulating payload and a novel antibody construct to enable differentiated tumor cell killing and immune activation in CEACAM5-expressing solid tumors.

Quantifiable outcome

• Sub-nanomolar potency demonstrated across bladder, lung, and breast cancer cell lines, outperforming topoisomerase I inhibitor TROP2 ADCs
• +2 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• WuXi XDCcoreTechnology or Integration · 6 April 2026Strategic partnership with WuXi XDC, a global CRDMO specializing in ADC development and manufacturing, to accelerate development of AKTX-101 and advance the PH1 payload technology. The collaboration extends beyond traditional CDMO engagement to cover development, manufacturing, and regulatory activities, supporting Akari's goal to submit an IND filing in late 2026 and initiate Phase 1 trials in late 2026/early 2027.
• Peak BiocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2024Merger with Peak Bio completed in November 2024, combining Peak's ADC platform technology with Akari's PAS-nomacopan program. The combined entity focuses on Peak's ADC platform technology and Akari's AKTX-101 for geographic atrophy, with discontinued programs including HSCT-TMA and Alpha 1 anti-trypsin deficiency development efforts.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Gilead Sciences: Maker of Trodelvy (sacituzumab govitecan), the first approved TROP2-directed ADC, making it the most directly comparable competitor to Akari's AKTX-101 in both target and oncology indication footprint.
• AstraZeneca: Co-developer of Datroway (Dato-DXd), the second approved TROP2 ADC built on Daiichi's DXd platform, and a major oncology commercial player that represents both a competitor and potential partner for Akari's PH1 payload.
• Mersana Therapeutics: Clinical-stage ADC developer built around proprietary payloads (e.g., Dolasynthen, Immunosynthen), directly comparable to Akari as a small-cap, payload-platform-focused oncology ADC company pursuing strategic partnerships.

Broad incumbents

• Daiichi Sankyo: Originating developer of the DXd ADC technology platform that underpins Datroway and Enhertu; sets the payload/linker benchmark Akari's PH1 platform must differentiate against in oncology BD discussions.
• Pfizer: Acquired Seagen for $43B to become a leading ADC player (Padcev, Adcetris, Tukysa) and a likely potential partner or acquirer of differentiated ADC payloads such as Akari's PH1.
• ImmunoGen: Pioneer of ADC technology whose linker chemistries underpin multiple approved ADCs and which was acquired by AbbVie; provides the legacy ADC-platform benchmark relevant to anyone commercializing an ADC payload today.

Emerging players

• CytomX Therapeutics: Clinical-stage oncology company developing Probody-drug conjugates and other masked ADCs; comparable as a small public ADC platform pursuing partnerships with larger oncology pharmas.
• Pyxis Oncology: Clinical-stage ADC developer focused on novel antibody and payload approaches for solid tumors; similar stage, size, and partnership-oriented business model to Akari's current posture.
• Bolt Biotherapeutics: Developer of immune-stimulating antibody conjugates (ISACs), directly comparable as a small clinical-stage ADC platform exploring novel payload mechanisms to combine targeted cytotoxicity with anti-tumor immune activation.
• Tubulis: German biotech developing next-generation ADCs with proprietary linkers and payloads; comparable as an early-stage, platform-driven ADC company pursuing pharma partnerships ahead of late-stage clinical data.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AkariTX
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@Akari_Therapeutics
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/akari-therapeutics-plc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds12 records

Investors8 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Akari Therapeutics