Radiant Biotherapeutics

Radiant Biotherapeutics is a preclinical biotechnology firm established in 2020, with operations in Toronto and Philadelphia. The company is built upon foundational scientific research from The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and the University of Toronto, specifically from the laboratories of Dr. Jean-Philippe Julien and Dr. Bebhinn Treanor. Venture capital firm Amplitude Ventures created the company, leading an initial $8 million seed round in 2023 along with partners including SickKids, Alexandria Investments, FACIT, and Toronto Innovation Acceleration Partners (TIAP). This was followed by a significant $35 million Series A financing in September 2024, co-led by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Amplitude Ventures, bringing the company's total funding to $43 million.

The core of Radiant's operations is its proprietary Multabody™ platform, which engineers multi-valent and multi-specific antibodies. This technology addresses limitations of current antibody therapies by combining superior binding strength, known as avidity, with the ability to target multiple disease-modifying proteins or different sites on the same target simultaneously. The platform uses a modular, fully human scaffold that allows for the rapid development of mono-, bi-, and tri-specific biologics, moving from concept to in vivo proof of concept in as little as six months. This efficiency is paired with the ability to leverage standard antibody manufacturing processes, simplifying production.

Radiant's business model is focused on developing a pipeline of therapeutic candidates and engaging in strategic research collaborations with pharmaceutical partners. The company is initially targeting oncology, inflammation, immunology, and infectious diseases such as HIV, supported by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Its lead clinical candidate, 4-1BB, is being advanced toward clinical trials for applications in oncology. Revenue generation is anticipated through the progression of its internal pipeline and validated by two existing, undisclosed partnerships with global pharmaceutical companies.

The company's leadership team includes President and CEO Deborah Geraghty, a life sciences executive with over two decades of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry. The scientific foundation is guided by co-founder Dr. Jean-Philippe Julien, who serves as Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board, and founding Chief Scientific Officer, Jo Hulme. The Multabody™ platform's potential was highlighted in its ability to neutralize SARS-CoV-2 and its variants with exceptional potency, demonstrating its versatility in addressing complex and rapidly mutating diseases.

Keywords: Multabody platform, multi-specific antibodies, avidity, antibody engineering, oncology therapeutics, infectious disease treatment, immunology, preclinical biotechnology, biotherapeutics, biologics development