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Ariceum Therapeutics: Marie Curie’s Legacy to Modern Cancer Treatment with Rare Earth Elements

Feb 13, 2026

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  • Ariceum Therapeutics is a Berlin-based biotech named after Marie Curie that develops radiopharmaceuticals using rare earth elements lutetium-177 (Lu-177) and actinium-225 (Ac-225) attached to satoreotide tetraxetan molecules targeting SSTR2-positive tumors such as small cell lung cancer.
  • The company secured isotope supply via strategic partnerships with Nusano, ITM/Actineer, and Eckert & Ziegler, ensuring sufficient Lu-177 and Ac-225 for ongoing Phase 1/2 SANTANA trials, while backed by €47.75M in Series A funding from EQT Life Sciences and HealthCap.
  • With new CEO David Schilansky leading since August 2025, Ariceum competes in the $10B+ radioligand therapy market by differentiating through SSTR2 antagonist technology that offers 10x better binding than competitors, targeting underserved aggressive cancers with Phase 2 data expected in 2026–2027.

Imagine a company whose very name "Ariceum" is a clever rearrangement of "Marie Curie," the famous scientist who first unlocked the power of radioactive elements like radium over a century ago. Marie Curie pioneered radioactivity, earning two Nobel Prizes for discovering how certain glowing materials could target and destroy diseased cells. Today, Ariceum Therapeutics (opens in a new tab), a small biotech firm based in Berlin, Germany, carries that torch forward by developing advanced cancer drugs called radiopharmaceuticals. These drugs use tiny amounts of radioactive rare earth elements (like lutetium and actinium) attached to smart molecules that seek out and attack hard-to-treat tumors, much like Curie's radium did in early experiments, but far safer and more precise.

Rare Earth Elements Are Key to Ariceum's Cancer-Fighting Drugs

At the heart of Ariceum's work is a molecule called satoreotide tetraxetan. Think of it as a "guided missile": one end sticks specifically to cancer cells that overproduce a protein called SSTR2 (common in aggressive tumors like small cell lung cancer or rare skin cancers). The other end grabs onto radioactive rare earth elements, turning the missile into a bomb that releases energy to kill the tumor from the inside.

These rare earth elements, lutetium-177 (Lu-177) and actinium-225 (Ac-225), are special because they're naturally radioactive and come from the same family of heavy metals deep in the Earth (lanthanides and actinides). Lu-177 emits gentle beta rays (like electrons) that travel a bit farther, ideal for larger tumors and repeat treatments over weeks. Ac-225 fires powerful alpha particles(helium nuclei), which pack a bigger punch but stop within a few celllayers, sparing healthy tissue nearby. Paired with a non-radioactive scanner version (using gallium-68), doctors can first "see" the tumors via PET scans, then treat only patients who will benefit most—this "theranostic" approach (diagnose + treat) is Ariceum's edge over older therapies.

But here's the catch: these elements aren't grown on trees. They're produced in specialized nuclear reactors or particle accelerators worldwide, and supplies are tight because cancer research demand has exploded—think thousands of patients waiting for trials.

How Ariceum Smartly Secures Its Rare Element Supply

Ariceum isn't gambling on one supplier; they're building a safety net of partnerships to ensure they never run short during crucial clinical trials (like their ongoing Phase 1/2 studies in lung and skin cancers). Here's how they do it, step by step:

  1. Diversified Partners Across Continents:
  • In October 2025, they signed with Nusano in the US for both Ac-225 and Lu-177, using cutting-edge accelerators to ramp up production.
  • January 2025 deal with ITM/Actineer provides Ac-225 made by zapping radium with protons— a newer method dodging old stockpile limits.
  • December 2024 agreement with Eckert & Ziegler locks in global supplies of ultra-pure ("no-carrier-added") versions for lab-to-clinic scaling.
  1. Long-Term Contracts for Stability: These aren't one-off buys; they're multi-year deals guaranteeing volumes needed to dose dozens of patients in trials like SANTANA-225 (Ac-225 for lung cancer), reducing price swings and delays.
  2. Flexible Backup Plans: If Ac-225 hits a snag (supplies are scarcer), they pivot to Lu-177 versions, which are easier to get thanks to more factories. This "tech-agnostic" strategy matches emerging production tricks, like recycling waste or using electron beams on targets.

Financing, Ownership, and Management

Ariceum remains privately held since its 2021 spinout from Ipsen (which retains a minority stake), backed by ~€47.75M ($52M+) in Series A fundingthrough 2023, co-led by specialist VCs EQT Life Sciences (ex-LSP), HealthCap (€25M initial, €25M extension), Pureos Bioventures, Andera Partners, and Earlybird Venture Capital. No public funding rounds or IPO as of 2026; cash runway supports Phase 2 readouts expected 2026-2027.

Leadership transitioned in August 2025: David Schilansky (ex-CFO) is now CEO, succeeding founder Manfred Rüdiger (PhD, now advisor); CMO Germo Gericke (radioligand expert); new COO Susanna Mesa, and CTO Manuel Sturzbecher-Höhne (PhD, ex-CMC head). Board chaired by Eduardo Bravo; investor reps ensure strategic focus amid ~€50M burn rate typical for clinical radiopharma.

Competition and Market Outlook

Ariceum competes in the $10B+ radioligand therapy (RLT) space dominated by Novartis (Pluvicto/Lu-PSMA-617 for prostate/NETs), AstraZeneca (Alpha-225/Ac-PSMA), and Bayer (Xofigo/Ra-223), but differentiates via SSTR2 antagonist (10x binding vs. agonists like DOTATATE) targeting underserved aggressive cancers (ES-SCLC, MCC) vs. well-differentiated NETs. Smaller peers like RadioMedix or ITM overlap on isotopes but lack antagonist IP.

Outlook: Bullish—Phase 1/2 data (safety 2026, efficacy 2027) could value Ariceum at $500M+ pre-Phase 3 if SANTANA-225 hits PFS endpoints in orphan indications (FDA ODD). REE supply secured de-risks execution; M&A appeal high (Novartis/ITM precedents). Risks: trial delays, dilution (Series B likely 2026), competition from PSMA/HER2 RLTs. Success echoes Curie's radium scale-up: first/best-in-class potential by 2030.

Ariceum's Smart Moves to Guarantee Success

Ariceum doesn't just hope for supply—they plan like chess masters. Here's a simple breakdown:

ApproachWhat They Do  Why It Works for Reliability
Multiple Sources3+ trusted GMP-certified partners (US, Europe)No single breakdown halts trials
Volume Lock-InsForward contracts for Phase 2/3 needsShields from shortages or price hikes
Adaptable TechMix of old generators + new accelerators/recyclingBets on winners like photonuclear methods
Regulatory WinsFDA orphan status fast-tracks access during global squeezesGets priority in rationed markets

By echoing Marie Curie's grit, turning scarce radium into a weapon against disease, Ariceum positions itself as a leader in radiopharma. With projected Ac-225 capacity hitting 25 TBq (enough for millions of doses) by 2032, their proactive supply web ensures they won't miss a beat, delivering Curie's vision to 21st-century patients.

Tag: Rare Erarth Elements, Biotech, lutetium-177, Cancer

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By Bart Reijs

Based in Switzerland, Barti is an Internationally experienced line and project manager specialized in large scale business transformation and digital strategy development. Focus on achieving organizational effectiveness, and business development through the application of enabling information technology.  Lean practitioner with Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification who has led multiple high profile transformation programs including the first major SAP for Global Clinical Supplies application, logistics and operational excellence projects as well as system implementations, business strategy and business Development. Early adopter of artificial intelligence (multiple agent and genetic algorithms). Aiming for business readiness based on anti-fragility principles and enterprise architecture

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#1 3 days ago

Ariceum filed for “provisional insolvency” at the Berlin-Charlottenburg District Court in early January 2026.
Is there any new information, or what is the background to this positive article?

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