Ratio Therapeutics Collaborates with Macrocyclics to Expand Cancer Treatment Access Worldwide

Overview

On June 13, 2025, Ratio Therapeutics Inc., a Boston-based pharmaceutical firm dedicated to advancing radiopharmaceuticals for cancer therapies and monitoring, announced a significant collaboration with Macrocyclics Inc., a leader in chelating agents for nuclear medicine. This partnership grants Macrocyclics exclusive rights to manufacture and distribute Ratio’s groundbreaking chelator, Macropa™, enhancing access for researchers and developers worldwide.

What is Macropa?

Macropa is a proprietary bifunctional chelator specifically designed for Actinium-225 (Ac-225), a radioisotope known for its potent alpha-particle emissions, making it ideal for targeted alpha therapy (TAT) in oncology. The unique design of Macropa allows it to be effectively associated with small molecules, peptides, and even larger proteins and antibodies, facilitating the development of new radiopharmaceuticals tailored for cancer treatment. Its ability to complex Ac-225 at room temperature means that it offers substantial benefits in production stability and in vivo efficacy.

Benefits of the Partnership

Through this collaboration, Ratio aims to bolster global scientific awareness and stimulate broader adoption of its chelator platform among oncological researchers and pharmaceutical innovators. Bill Cupelo, Ratio's Chief Business Officer, emphasized their commitment to enhancing patient outcomes by supporting the global community involved in targeted cancer therapies and diagnostic procedures. With Macropa now more accessible, researchers across numerous countries, including Japan, Canada, and Australia, can quickly purchase Macropa from Macrocyclics, expediting the transition from research to clinical application.

Paul Jurek, CEO of Macrocyclics, highlighted the advantages provided by Macropa, especially its rapid labeling capability. For many biopharmaceutical applications, where heat-induced degradation can be detrimental, the ability to work at room temperature opens new avenues in drug development, particularly for protein-based therapeutics. This strategic partnership not only facilitates advanced research but also paves the way for the future of precision medicine in oncology.

The Future of Cancer Therapy

As the partnership evolves, Macrocyclics plans to expand its product offerings by introducing multiple derivatives of Macropa, all produced under stringent good manufacturing practices (GMP). This will further enhance the repertoire of tools available to innovators in clinical research, making significant strides toward the realization of targeted cancer treatments. The collaboration is set to be showcased at the 2025 SNMMI Annual Meeting from June 21 to 24 in New Orleans, LA, where both companies will share insights and forge connections with current and prospective Macropa users.

About Macrocyclics and Ratio Therapeutics

Founded in 1995 and headquartered in Plano, Texas, Macrocyclics is a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) specializing in chelating agents essential for radiopharmaceuticals. It has built a comprehensive catalog of agents and maintains a GMP-compliant quality system to support rapid advancements in the field.

Ratio Therapeutics, also established as a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company, is committed to developing the next generation of precision radiopharmaceuticals aimed at transforming treatment paradigms for solid tumors. Heads in Boston, Ratio efficiently combines innovative research with practical clinical applications to enhance drug availability and efficacy.

For further details about Macropa and the ongoing efforts of both companies, visit Ratio Therapeutics and Macrocyclics. Their joint mission underscores a shared dedication to improving patient outcomes through scientific collaboration and innovation.