Higher payload
Aken’s nanoparticles feature a mesoporous core designed to load multiple Actinium-225 atoms, an alpha-emitting isotope. This high loading capacity maximizes the radiation dose delivered directly to the tumor.
i-Lab 2025 — Grand Prix
Targeted alpha therapy with a theranostic nanoparticle
A scalable platform combining targeted cancer treatment and real-time imaging in a single injection.
Cancer treatment shouldn't be blind. Aken Medical's platform treats the tumor and tracks the dose in real time.
Core/shell nanoparticle platform
The technology
Built to treat and see. Aken Medical’s platform relies on core/shell nanoparticles designed to carry therapeutic and imaging isotopes together. Isotopes are loaded into a mesoporous core, physically enclosed within a metallic shell, and directed to the tumor by surface targeting molecules. The platform rests on four core pillars: payload, containment, targeting, and dosimetry.
- 1Therapeutic isotope
- 2Metallic shell
- 3Targeting molecules
- 4Imaging isotope — Zirconium-89
Protected by patents
Contained by design
A metallic shell physically encloses the payload instead of relying on chemical linkers. It retains Actinium-225’s decay chain and prevents recoil energy from releasing radioactive daughters into healthy tissue as the nanoparticle moves through the body.
Multi-point targeting
Aken’s nanoparticles carry up to 10 targeting molecules on their surface, creating multiple points of contact with tumor cells at once. This multivalent binding strategy strengthens attachment and extends nanoparticle residence time at the tumor site.
Theranostic architecture
Co-encapsulating therapeutic Actinium-225 with Zirconium-89, an imaging isotope, enables real-time PET mapping of tumor accumulation. This data provides precise calculations to build predictive, patient-specific dosing models.
A re-targetable platform
Pipeline
One architecture, multiple tumor targets. Aken Medical is a preclinical-stage biotech developing a modular nanoparticle platform designed to address multiple solid tumors. The targeting molecule bound to the nanoparticle surface can be tailored to different tumor targets without redesigning the underlying architecture. The platform supports multiple routes of administration, selected according to the tumor and clinical indication, with the potential to expand to additional delivery routes as new indications are pursued. Pancreatic and ovarian cancers represent the platform's first applications.
Pancreatic cancer
Lead program- Why this tumor
- One of the most lethal solid tumors, with limited systemic treatment options and a persistent unmet medical need.
- Route of administration
- Intravenous
Stage
Preclinical
IND Enabling
Phase I
Phase II
Phase III
Ovarian cancer
Second program- Why this tumor
- Frequently diagnosed at an advanced stage, with a characteristic pattern of peritoneal spread.
- Route of administration
- Intraperitoneal
Stage
Preclinical
IND Enabling
Phase I
Phase II
Phase III
The architecture is built to extend beyond these lead programs into a broader pipeline of solid tumor indications.
Laila Quere, PhDCEO & Co-FounderMarket opportunity
$258B
Precision oncology market by 2032
Source: Biospace, 2024
$38.5B
Nuclear medicine market by 2032
Source: Coherent Market Insights via Biospace
$16B
Radioligand therapy market by 2031
Source: Kings Research
$25B+
Deployed in big-pharma radioligand M&A since 2014
Source: Intuition Labs, aggregated transactions
Partners & recognition
i-Lab — Grand Prix 2025
The team
About us
Our mission, the team behind the platform, and the ecosystem driving it toward the clinic.
Our mission
Aken Medical develops targeted, image-guided alpha therapy for patients with solid tumors that today have too few treatment options — starting with pancreatic and ovarian cancer.
Our story
Aken Medical grew out of a core observation at the intersection of nanotechnology, radiobiology, and clinical oncology. Targeted radioligand therapy has established itself as a cornerstone of modern nuclear medicine. The emergence of targeted alpha therapy represents a major paradigm shift: high-energy alpha particles can destroy tumor cells that conventional therapies cannot reach, but uncontained isotopes can drift into healthy tissue. Prof. Tijani Gharbi, a pioneer in nanotechnology, and Dr. Laila Quere, bridging deep science and business execution, founded Aken Medical to solve this challenge through a core/shell nanoparticle platform. Radiobiologist Dr. Jean-Pierre Pouget and chemist Dr. Mikhael Bechelany joined as co-founders, bringing deep scientific expertise in radiobiology and nanochemistry to advance the platform toward the clinic. Radiation oncologist Prof. David Azria brought the key clinical perspective and joined the founding vision.
Our values
Quantified Precision
Radiation is only medicine when it is quantified. Dosimetry is not an afterthought of the platform, it is the reason it exists.
Start Where the Need is Greatest
We aim first at tumors with the poorest prognosis and the fewest options, where every gain in precision changes outcomes.
Science is Built Together
We build closely with research institutions, clinical partners, and industry, because meaningful therapies are developed through collaboration.
Our ecosystem
A medical isotope platform is not built alone. Around the core team, a network of partners supplies the isotopes, the science, the funding, and ultimately the pathway to patients.
Research & Development
Co-developed with leading research institutions including CNRS, Inserm, University of Montpellier, IRCM, and the Montpellier Cancer Institute (ICM).
Suppliers & Manufacturing
Specialists like Eckert & Ziegler and Pantera secure isotope supply and production standards.
Incubation & Accelerators
Wilco, Paris Biotech Santé, Réseau Entreprendre, NETVA, and Deeptech Pionniers helped accelerate early platform development and company structure.
Public Support
Bpifrance and France 2030 back the industrial and development roadmap, alongside the i-Lab Grand Prix.
Strategic & Clinical Advisory
Experienced biotech executives, business advisors, and clinical KOLs guiding platform scalability and regulatory strategy.
Milestones & recognition
- Awards & Prizes — WEgate Nova Awards, ODDO BHF Prize, and nomination as Hello Tomorrow Deeptech Pioneers, recognizing breakthrough technology potential and business model feasibility.
- i-Lab Grand Prix & Bpifrance Deeptech Label — National recognition awarded for breakthrough deeptech innovation.
- Institutional Support — Non-dilutive funding and strategic backing from Bpifrance and France 2030.
- Academic Foundations — Core R&D co-developed alongside CNRS, Inserm, and the University of Montpellier.
- Preclinical Advancement — Active pipeline progression across pancreatic (intravenous) and ovarian (intraperitoneal) cancer indications.
The founders
Behind the platform is a multidisciplinary team combining business execution, nanotechnology, radiobiology, chemistry, and radiation oncology, supported by an experienced board of strategic advisors — meet the people of Aken Medical.