Starget Pharma Closes $18M Series A Financing and Announces Strategic Collaboration with Center for Molecular Imaging and Therapy in Louisiana
Starget Pharma Inc, a U.S. clinical-stage radiopharmaceutical company, today announced the closing of its $18M Series A financing round and a strategic collaboration with the Center for Molecular Imaging and Therapy (CMIT) to develop next-generation peptide radioligand therapies for cancer.
The Series A round includes participation from U.S.-based investors Louisiana Economic Development’s Louisiana Growth Fund (LED), Cancer Focus Fund, and CMIT’s parent entity BRF, as well as Ilex Medical Ltd (TLV: ILX) and additional investors. Proceeds from the financing will support the advancement of Starget’s pipeline toward clinical development, including its lead first-in-class SSTR3-targeted theranostic pair for sarcoma, neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), and malignant melanoma, and expand translational and manufacturing capabilities in the United States.
Sigal Kalmanson Cusnir
CEO of Starget Pharma
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Starget Pharma is a clinical-stage radiopharmaceutical company developing next-generation peptide RLT for cancer, with operations in the U.S. and Israel. Starget’s platform integrates AI-driven peptide design, theranostic imaging, and rapid clinical insight, creating a repeatable engine capable of generating multiple radioligand therapy programs and capturing outsized value across this expanding therapeutic category. Starget’s programs have a clear first- and best-in-class potential, with multiple clinical entries planned for 2026.
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The Center for Molecular Imaging and Therapy (CMIT), a wholly owned subsidiary of BRF, offers a full continuum of research and development services in molecular imaging, radiopharmaceutical discovery, manufacturing, and clinical translation. CMIT’s model allows for streamlined advancement of novel diagnostics and therapies from concept through imaging to clinical testing and distribution — a unique “one-stop-shop” capability in the radiopharmaceutical space.
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BRF, headquartered in Shreveport, Louisiana, is an innovation hub and economic development organization establishing North Louisiana as a preferred destination for high-growth initiatives. Diversifying the region’s economy is its mission. It fulfills this mission through initiatives that start new businesses, recruit new businesses and retain current businesses in the region, and through supporting the development of a science and technology-based workforce.
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The Cancer Focus Fund LP is a unique investment fund established in collaboration with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. The fund provides investment support to advance promising cancer therapies that are close to being tested in humans or are in early clinical development, as well as the clinical trial expertise and infrastructure of MD Anderson and strategic partners Ochsner Health System Precision Cancer Therapies Program New Orleans and the LSU Feist Weiller Cancer Center Shreveport. The Fund's objective is to leverage this unique combination to provide investors with superior risk-adjusted returns. In collaboration with partner MD Anderson, the Cancer Focus Fund provides both capital and translational research expertise with the goal of accelerating the development of novel cancer therapies that result in better outcomes for patients while generating returns for investors.
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Louisiana Innovation (LA.IO) is a division of Louisiana Economic Development dedicated to strengthening and modernizing the state’s core industries through innovation. LA.IO supports high-potential, tech-enabled startups by connecting founders to capital, fostering partnerships across accelerators, universities, investors, and industry, and advancing transformative technologies such as artificial intelligence and advanced automation.
