Harbour BioMed and Yantai Lannacheng Join Forces to Accelerate Radionuclide Therapeutics Innovation

Harbour BioMed has entered into a strategic long-term partnership with Yantai Lannacheng Biotechnology Co., Ltd., aiming to jointly develop cutting-edge radionuclide drug conjugates (RDCs)—a promising therapeutic modality that represents a meaningful step forward compared to traditional radiotherapy approaches.

How Radionuclide Conjugates Outperform Conventional Methods

The key distinction of RDCs lies in their precision delivery mechanism. By utilizing tumor antigen-specific ligands, these therapeutics transport radionuclides directly to tumor sites, significantly minimizing collateral damage to healthy surrounding tissues. What sets them apart from antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) is their dual mechanism: RDCs not only target and eliminate tumor cells expressing the target antigen but also exert cytotoxic effects on neighboring malignant cells and the broader tumor microenvironment. This multi-pronged approach addresses critical challenges such as tumor heterogeneity and acquired drug resistance while simultaneously enabling theranostic applications—merging diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities in a single modality.

Harbour BioMed’s Technological Edge in Antibody Development

The collaboration is built on Harbour BioMed’s established expertise in antibody discovery and manufacturing. The company’s proprietary Harbour Mice platform has proven instrumental in generating fully human monoclonal antibodies in two formats: the conventional immunoglobulin G (H2L2) configuration and the innovative heavy chain-only (HCAb) variant. A notable advantage of the HCAb technology is the production of fully human, heavy chain-only antibodies that are roughly half the size of standard IgGs, providing distinct benefits for next-generation therapeutic applications.

Integration of Advanced Antibodies in RDC Development

When incorporated into radionuclide conjugate frameworks, fully human antibodies demonstrate compelling properties. Their inherently low immunogenicity allows for better tolerability, while superior tissue penetration capabilities enhance delivery efficiency to tumor sites. Combined with their high specificity and structural stability, these antibodies optimize the targeted delivery of radionuclides, potentially improving therapeutic outcomes while reducing toxicity exposure and minimizing adverse effects—ultimately aligning with Harbour BioMed’s objective to expand innovative treatment modalities for patients globally.