Swiss Nuclides to enable precision cancer diagnosis

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. In 2018 alone, an estimated 17 million new cancer cases and 9.5 million cancer deaths worldwide were reported, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). By 2040, the challenge is expected to grow to 27.5 million new cases and 16.3 million deaths simply due to the growth and ageing of the population.

Swiss Nuclides, a 2018 founded startup based in Aarau (Aargau), has made it its mission to develop precision diagnostic tools for cancer that are better, safe, more affordable and accessible by every cancer patient. The startup is developing, producing, and selling innovative PET tracers on a novel radionuclide-production platform for personalised cancer diagnostics and staging different cancer types. With a focus on prostate cancer, it offers a platform that offers a broad range of tracer molecules to help keep the radiation burden on the patient to a minimum. The solution will enable radiologists to diagnose every cancer patient more accurately and then treat them accordingly.

Leila Jaafar-Thiel, CEO and Founder comments, explains: “The rapidly growing field of radiotherapeutics highlights the unmet clinical need for a broader portfolio of radiodiagnostic PET tracers alongside. Precision radiotherapeutics has shown astounding efficacy in some cancer indications like prostate cancer and neuroendocrine tumours. Swiss Nuclides is working towards a future in which all patients have access to an affordable and effective personalised treatment.”

With the completion of its CHF 2.6 million series A round with private investors from Turos Capital AG, the company is set to advance the preclinical and clinical developments of its lead molecules for prostate cancer, neuroendocrine tumours, and immunotherapy selection as it works towards further milestones.

New board members for Swiss Nuclide
In line with the investment, Swiss Nuclined welcomed Anthony Wild and Mathias Staehelin to the startup’s board of directors. “I am excited to invest in a company that is on the cutting edge in the development of novel radionuclides for cancer diagnostics. I look forward to supporting Leila Jaafar-Thiel and her outstanding team at Swiss Nuclides in developing their potentially disruptive technology and thereby improving patients’ prognoses and chances of survival,” said Anthony Wild.