Alpaca Antibodies and Radioisotopes: A Chilean Startup’s Breakthrough in Oncology
German-based biotech startup Berking Theranostics, founded by Chilean scientist Alejandro Rojas, has raised €1.3 million ($1.5 million) to advance a novel cancer treatment using alpaca-derived antibodies linked to radioisotopes, according to the company. The technology, developed over a decade, leverages the unique properties of camelid antibodies to target tumors with precision, offering a potential alternative to traditional chemotherapy.
The Science Behind Alpaca Antibodies
Camelid antibodies, first identified in 1989 by Belgian researchers, are smaller than human antibodies, allowing them to penetrate tissues more effectively. Berking Theranostics uses these antibodies, sourced from 25 alpacas in Valdivia, Chile, to deliver radioisotopes like gallium-68 and lutetium-177. When bound to tumors, these isotopes enable both imaging and targeted radiation therapy, minimizing damage to healthy tissue, as explained by Rojas in a 2023 interview.
“The smaller size of alpaca antibodies allows them to reach tumors that other therapies cannot,” said Rojas, who studied molecular biotechnology at the University of Chile and later earned a doctorate in Germany. The company has developed 15 antiviral candidates, including treatments for Hantavirus and Ebola, but its current focus is on oncology.
Funding and Expansion
Berking Theranostics secured €1.3 million from three strategic partners, including Belgian investors with expertise in prostate cancer diagnostics and a radioisotope supplier, according to the company’s 2024 funding announcement. The startup, based in Hamburg’s Science City hub, plans to use the funds for preclinical trials starting in July 2024 in Uruguay and August in Greece, as reported by Bloomberg.
Rojas, who returned to Chile in 2016 after a postdoctoral stint in Scotland, initially faced challenges in securing local support for his research. Despite a 2020 claim of developing “the world’s best antibody against the coronavirus,” commercialization efforts in Chile stalled, prompting him to establish Berking Theranostics in Germany, where he now operates alongside his wife, Anne Berking, co-founder of the company’s biotechnology division.
Challenges and Future Plans
The startup’s approach contrasts with existing radioisotope therapies like Novartis’s Pluvicto, which uses lutetium-177 for prostate cancer and generates €1.3 billion annually. Berking aims to expand its pipeline to 20 tumor types, starting with colorectal and pancreatic cancers, with a breast cancer candidate in development. The company holds exclusive licenses to five patents from the University of Austral in Chile, where its alpaca herd remains under the care of two veterinarians.
“Our goal is to advance three to four candidates into Phase 2 trials within five years, positioning us for partnerships with major pharmaceutical firms,” Rojas stated. The company’s model prioritizes intellectual property development and clinical data, with no revenue generated yet, according to its 2024 financial disclosures.
Why It Matters
The use of alpaca antibodies in cancer treatment represents a niche but growing field in precision oncology. While similar technologies have been commercialized—such as the 2018 sale of a camelid antibody company for €3.9 billion—Berking’s focus on radioisotope integration sets it apart. Analysts note that the startup’s success hinges on navigating regulatory hurdles and demonstrating clinical efficacy, particularly as global cancer drug markets expand to $180 billion by 2028, per McKinsey & Company.