9. Beyond Billion-Dollar Bets: How Affibody Might Solve Radioligand Therapy's Greatest Challenges

The radioligand therapy market will be worth $42 billion by 2032. However, beneath the headline-grabbing acquisitions lies a complex web of technical and commercial challenges that threaten to limit patient access to these revolutionary cancer treatments. The path to successful radioligand development is fraught with obstacles, from the "melting ice cube" logistics of short-lived radioisotopes to the renal toxicity pitfalls that plague small-molecule approaches.

In this episode of BioBiz Buzz, your host Mike Ward sits down with David Bejker, CEO of Swedish biotech Affibody, to explore how engineered protein platforms are systematically addressing the industry's most pressing challenges. With over 20 years of radioligand development experience and more than 200 patients dosed, Affibody has developed a unique solution: engineered proteins 25 times smaller than traditional antibodies that deliver targeted radiation with unprecedented precision while avoiding the toxicity issues that have historically limited therapeutic efficacy.

Bejker reveals how Affibody's platform overcomes critical industry bottlenecks — from manufacturing stability at extreme temperatures to rapid tissue penetration and optimized pharmacokinetics. The conversation delves into the company's HER2-targeting program, which addresses a huge market opportunity. It explores how their technology differentiates from the peptide and antibody approaches dominating current billion-dollar acquisitions by Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, and AstraZeneca.

Beyond the technical innovations, this episode examines Affibody's strategic partnerships with industry giants, demonstrating how specialized biotechs can leverage established infrastructure to accelerate patient access while maintaining focus on core innovation. From bacterial production systems that slash manufacturing costs to companion diagnostics that enable personalized treatment selection, Bejker illustrates how thoughtful platform design can transform radioligand therapy from a niche treatment to a scalable healthcare solution.

Essential listening for biotech executives, investors, and industry professionals seeking to understand how the next generation of radioligand companies is solving the challenges that will determine which treatments reach patients—and which billion-dollar bets pay off.

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