Philochem
Philochem AG is a Swiss biotech subsidiary of the Philogen group that discovers tumor-targeting ligands using DNA-Encoded Chemical Libraries and develops radiopharmaceuticals, SMDCs, and immunocytokines for cancer imaging and therapy, monetizing via partnerships and licensing.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersOtelfingen, Switzerland
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Philochem does
Philochem AG is a Swiss biotechnology company founded in 2006 and headquartered in Otelfingen, Switzerland, operating as the wholly-owned discovery research subsidiary of the Philogen group. The company focuses on innovating ligand discovery and medicinal target identification for oncology, leveraging DNA-Encoded Chemical Libraries (DELs) and self-assembling chemical library technologies to identify tumor-targeting small molecules with high affinity and selectivity. Its core platforms include OncoFAP (FAP-targeting imaging and therapeutics), OncoACP3 (Prostatic Acid Phosphatase-targeting prostate cancer radiopharmaceuticals), OncoCAIX (Carbonic Anhydrase IX-targeting renal cell carcinoma agents), Small Molecule-Drug Conjugates (SMDCs) with cytotoxic payloads such as MMAE, and immunocytokines combining tumor-targeting antibodies with cytokine payloads (IL2, TNF). These technologies are protected by patents granted in virtually all major commercial territories, including a foundational patent on production of encoded chemical libraries that was successfully defended at a Board of Appeal level in February 2024.
Philochem's pipeline is structured as theranostic pairs spanning diagnostic radionuclides (68Ga, 18F) and therapeutic radionuclides (177Lu, 225Ac), and the company conducts discovery research supporting programs in breast, esophageal, pancreatic, colorectal, prostate, and renal cancers. The company has reported Phase I clinical evidence for 68Ga-OncoFAP demonstrating safety and preliminary imaging efficacy in solid tumors. Business operations rely on a partnership-driven model: Philochem generates early-stage candidates that are either advanced internally by parent company Philogen or licensed to major pharmaceutical partners, including RayzeBio/Bristol Myers Squibb (OncoACP3, up to $1.35 billion potential value), Pfizer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Janssen, and Blue Earth Diagnostics. The company does not directly commercialize products and does not disclose standalone financial results.
The company's scientific credibility is reinforced by peer-reviewed publications in Nature Chemistry, Clinical Cancer Research, and other high-impact journals, along with industry recognition including the 2024 EFMC Prize for Young Medicinal Chemist in Industry and the 2026 Swiss Chemical Society Industrial Science Award, both awarded to Head of Research Dr. Samuele Cazzamalli. Strategic positioning centers on the Philogen/Philochem group operating model, where Philochem supplies chemistry and discovery assets and Philogen executes clinical development and commercialization, with marquee partnerships serving as both validation and monetization mechanism.
Philochem firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Philochem
- Legal name
- Philochem AG
- Website
- https://philochem.ch
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Philochem AG is a Swiss biotech subsidiary of the Philogen group that discovers tumor-targeting ligands using DNA-Encoded Chemical Libraries and develops radiopharmaceuticals, SMDCs, and immunocytokines for cancer imaging and therapy, monetizing via partnerships and licensing.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Philochem industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Biopharmaceutical Oncology R&D
- NAICS
- Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), In-Vitro Diagnostic Substance Manufacturing (325413)
- SIC
- In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Library & Diversity Generation Platforms (display libraries, DNA-encoded libraries for biologics, variant libraries) (HLAAAIAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Oncology Diagnostics (tumor profiling, MRD, liquid biopsy) (HLAAALAE), Target Identification & Validation Platforms (omics-driven, chemoproteomics, genetic validation) (HLAAAIAI)
Keywords
Where Philochem is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Otelfingen
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Philochem business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
Philochem product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Philochem AG is the discovery center of the Philogen group, developing anti-cancer therapeutics and diagnostics using DNA-encoded combinatorial chemistry. It discovers and develops radiopharmaceutical imaging and therapy agents (OncoFAP, OncoACP3, OncoCAIX platforms), small molecule-drug conjugates (SMDCs) with cytotoxic payloads, and immunocytokine antibody-cytokine fusion proteins for solid tumor targeting. Pipeline candidates are advanced through licensing partnerships with pharmaceutical companies for clinical development and commercialization.
Product overview
Philochem develops anti-cancer products of unprecedented potency and selectivity using excellence in encoded combinatorial chemistry. The company operates as a Swiss subsidiary of the Philogen group, acting as the discovery center with a focus on chemical pharmaceutical products. Its portfolio includes radiopharmaceutical theranostic agents (OncoFAP and OncoACP3 series for imaging and therapy across multiple radionuclides including 68Ga, 18F, 177Lu, and 225Ac), small molecule-drug conjugates (SMDCs) with cytotoxic payloads, and immunocytokine platforms (antibody-cytokine fusion proteins). The technology foundation rests on DNA-Encoded Chemical Libraries (DEL) enabling high-throughput discovery of tumor-targeting ligands.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- OncoFAP: FAP-targeted small molecule therapeutics platform for cancer imaging and therapy
- OncoACP3
- OncoCAIX
Products and services
- 68Ga-OncoFAP (Imaging) A gallium-68 labeled radiopharmaceutical diagnostic agent for PET imaging of solid tumors, targeting Fibroblast Activation Protein (FAP). Evaluated in Phase I clinical trials in patients with breast, esophageal, pancreatic, and colorectal cancer.
- 18F-OncoFAP (Imaging) A fluorine-18 labeled radiopharmaceutical diagnostic agent for PET imaging of FAP-positive solid tumors, offering longer half-life and broader distribution logistics than gallium-68 analogs.
- 177Lu-OncoFAP-23 (Therapy) A lutetium-177 labeled radiopharmaceutical therapeutic agent for targeted radionuclide therapy of FAP-expressing solid tumors.
- OncoFAP-GlyPro-MMAE (Therapy) A small molecule-drug conjugate (SMDC) that combines the OncoFAP ligand targeting Fibroblast Activation Protein with MMAE (monomethyl auristatin E) cytotoxic payload via a GlyPro linker for FAP-positive solid tumor therapy.
- 68Ga-OncoACP3 (Imaging) A gallium-68 labeled radiopharmaceutical diagnostic agent targeting Prostatic Acid Phosphatase (ACP-3) for PET imaging of prostate cancer.
- 18F-OncoACP3 (Imaging) A fluorine-18 labeled radiopharmaceutical diagnostic agent targeting ACP-3 for PET imaging of prostate cancer, offering a longer half-life alternative to gallium-68.
- 177Lu-OncoACP3 (Therapy) A lutetium-177 labeled radiopharmaceutical therapeutic agent targeting ACP-3 for targeted radionuclide therapy of prostate cancer.
- 225Ac-OncoACP3 (Therapy) An actinium-225 labeled radiopharmaceutical therapeutic agent targeting ACP-3 for alpha-particle therapy of prostate cancer.
- 68Ga-OncoCAIX (Imaging) A gallium-68 labeled radiopharmaceutical diagnostic agent targeting Carbonic Anhydrase IX (CAIX) for imaging renal cell carcinoma and other CAIX-expressing tumors.
- 177Lu-OncoCAIX (Therapy) A lutetium-177 labeled radiopharmaceutical therapeutic agent targeting CAIX for targeted therapy of renal cell carcinoma and other CAIX-expressing tumors.
- DNA-Encoded Chemical Libraries (DEL) Philochem's core encoded combinatorial chemistry discovery platform enabling high-throughput identification of novel tumor-targeting ligands, including patented DNA-encoded self-assembling chemical library technology. Offered as a discovery platform accessible through partnering and fee-for-service engagements.
- Immunocytokines Therapeutic platform of antibody-cytokine fusion proteins (e.g., L19IL2, L19TNF, F8-IL10/Dekavil) that combine tumor-targeting antibodies with cytokine payloads (IL2, TNF, IL10) for cancer therapy and chronic inflammation treatment.
- Small Molecule-Drug Conjugates (SMDCs) Non-internalizing small molecule-drug conjugate platform delivering cytotoxic payloads (e.g., MMAE, camptothecin derivatives) to tumors via FAP targeting for solid tumor therapy.
Quantifiable outcome
- $1.35 billion potential deal value from OncoACP3 licensing agreement with RayzeBio (Bristol Myers Squibb)
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Philochem
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Philochem technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Philochem partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.
- RayzeBio, a Bristol Myers Squibb CompanyflagshipPhilochem AG licensed worldwide rights to OncoACP3, a novel radiopharmaceutical therapeutic and diagnostic agent targeting prostate cancer, to RayzeBio (a Bristol Myers Squibb company). The deal closed on August 18, 2025 following antitrust clearance, with potential value of up to $1.35 billion plus royalties.
- Boehringer IngelheimcorePhilogen signed a collaborative agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim to investigate novel treatment approaches for Acute Myeloid Leukemia using DNA-encoded chemistry.
- Pfizer Inc.corePhilogen announced Option and License Agreement with Pfizer Inc. to develop and commercialize multiple antibody drug conjugates and targeted nanoparticles.
- PhilogencorePhilochem is a Swiss subsidiary of the Philogen group, acting as the discovery center with a focus on chemical pharmaceutical products and technologies. Philogen handles clinical development and commercialization of Philochem's discoveries.
- Blue Earth DiagnosticscoreCollaboration for Phase 1 clinical trial of 68Ga-OncoFAP (68Ga-OncoFAP-DOTAGA) for diagnostic imaging in solid tumors. First three patients imaged in the clinical trial.
- Janssen (Johnson & Johnson)corePhilogen announced new collaboration with Janssen to discover small molecule therapeutics, expanding the partnership portfolio in the pharmaceutical sector.
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Philochem competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Philogen S.p.A. Parent company of Philochem and co-developer of the antibody-cytokine (immunocytokine) and SMDC pipeline. Operates the clinical development and commercialization arm for Philochem's discoveries, making it the most direct functional peer in the same therapeutic programs and target classes.
- Lantheus Holdings: Radiopharmaceutical company with established diagnostic imaging agents (e.g., PYLARIFY, AZEDRA) and an active radioligand therapy pipeline including FAP and PSMA-targeted programs. Direct competitor in both imaging diagnostics and radionuclide therapy for solid tumors.
- Telix Pharmaceuticals: Commercial-stage radiopharmaceutical company with PSMA-PET imaging (Illuccix) and a pipeline of CAIX- and FAP-targeted agents. Direct overlap with Philochem's OncoCAIX and OncoFAP programs across imaging and therapeutic radionuclides.
- Curium: Vertically integrated radiopharmaceutical company supplying diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine products globally. Competes in the same theranostic oncology space, particularly in PET imaging agents and emerging Lu-177 therapies.
- RayzeBio (Bristol Myers Squibb): BMS-owned radiopharmaceutical company that licensed OncoACP3 from Philochem for up to $1.35B. Now both Philochem's most important commercial partner and a direct competitor advancing internal actinium-225 and lutetium-based radioligand programs in oncology.
Broad incumbents
- Novartis (Pluvicto): Approved Pluvicto (Lu-177 vipivotide tetraxetan), the first commercial PSMA-directed radioligand therapy, and runs parallel FAP and radioligand discovery programs through its oncology and radioligand therapy units. Sets the efficacy, safety, and commercial benchmark against which Philochem's OncoACP3, OncoFAP, and OncoCAIX programs will be measured.
- Bayer (Radiopharmaceuticals): Develops and markets radiopharmaceuticals (e.g., Xofigo, Nubeqa) and runs an active pipeline in FAP- and PSMA-targeted radionuclide therapy. Overlaps directly with Philochem's radioligand therapy programs across prostate cancer and solid tumors.
Emerging players
- Bicycle Therapeutics: Develops bicyclic peptide-based targeted therapeutics including Bicycle Toxin Conjugates, which share conceptual overlap with Philochem's SMDCs (targeted small-molecule cytotoxics). Comparable emerging modality in the targeted oncology conjugates space.
- Molecular Partners: Swiss clinical-stage biotech developing DARPin-based targeted therapeutics for oncology, with comparable company size and Swiss biotech operating model. Peer through similar discovery-platform approach to oncology targeting, though using protein scaffolds rather than DELs.
Regional players
- Bracco Imaging: Italian-headquartered diagnostic imaging company with a portfolio of contrast agents and radiopharmaceuticals for oncology imaging. Overlaps with Philochem's PET imaging diagnostic agents (68Ga/18F-OncoFAP, OncoACP3, OncoCAIX) in the European market.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Philochem social profiles
Digital presencePhilochem financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Philochem leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Philochem funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Philochem 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 Philochem
What does Philochem do?
Philochem AG is the discovery center of the Philogen group, developing anti-cancer therapeutics and diagnostics using DNA-encoded combinatorial chemistry. It discovers and develops radiopharmaceutical imaging and therapy agents (OncoFAP, OncoACP3, OncoCAIX platforms), small molecule-drug conjugates (SMDCs) with cytotoxic payloads, and immunocytokine antibody-cytokine fusion proteins for solid tumor targeting. Pipeline candidates are advanced through licensing partnerships with pharmaceutical companies for clinical development and commercialization.
Is Philochem a public or private company?
Philochem is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Philochem founded?
Philochem was founded in 2006. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Philochem based?
Philochem is headquartered in Otelfingen, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
Who are Philochem's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Philogen S.p.A., Lantheus Holdings, Telix Pharmaceuticals, Curium and RayzeBio (Bristol Myers Squibb). Broad incumbents are Novartis (Pluvicto) and Bayer (Radiopharmaceuticals). Emerging players are Bicycle Therapeutics and Molecular Partners. Bracco Imaging is listed as a regional player.
Does Philochem have an API?
No public API is recorded for Philochem.
What industry is Philochem in?
Philochem's product category is Biopharmaceutical Oncology R&D. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAAAIAL, Library & Diversity Generation Platforms (display libraries, DNA-encoded libraries for biologics, variant libraries), with a secondary code of HLAAALAE, Oncology Diagnostics (tumor profiling, MRD, liquid biopsy). Its NAICS code is 541714 and its SIC code is 2835.