Aktis Oncology, Inc. IPO - What You Need to Know

Hey there! Thinking about dipping your toes into the Aktis Oncology IPO? That's awesome! Investing can be a great way to grow your money, but it's super important to understand what you're getting into, especially with a company like this. Think of this as a friendly chat about what Aktis Oncology is all about, so you can make an informed decision.

Just a heads-up: This guide is based on a preliminary filing Aktis Oncology made with the SEC on December 19, 2025. This means the IPO hasn't happened yet, and some details (like the exact number of shares or the final price) are still being worked out. The company is getting ready to go public, and the actual sale of shares will happen "as soon as practicable" after the SEC gives its final approval. This type of document is called an "S-1 Registration Statement," which is basically their official application to go public.

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1. What does this company actually do? (in plain English)

Aktis Oncology is a company focused on fighting cancer. But they're not just doing the same old thing. They're working on a really cutting-edge approach using something called "alpha-emitting radiopharmaceuticals."

Let's break that down:

• Radiopharmaceuticals: Imagine a special medicine that has a tiny, tiny bit of radioactive material attached to it.
• Alpha-emitting: This is the key part. Instead of the usual radiation used in some treatments, alpha particles are like tiny, powerful bullets. They travel a very short distance but pack a huge punch, meaning they can destroy cancer cells very effectively without causing too much damage to healthy cells nearby.
• Targeted: Aktis's goal is to make these radioactive medicines very good at finding and sticking only to cancer cells, like a smart bomb. This way, the powerful alpha particles hit the cancer directly and leave healthy tissue alone as much as possible.

So, in simple terms, Aktis Oncology is trying to develop super-targeted, super-powerful radioactive medicines that can seek out and destroy cancer cells with minimal harm to the rest of your body. Their big hope is to create new, more effective treatments for various tough-to-treat cancers.

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2. How do they make money and are they growing?

This is where it gets a bit different from, say, a company that sells shoes. Aktis Oncology is a "biotech" company, which means they're mostly in the research and development (R&D) phase right now.

• How they make money (eventually): Their ultimate goal is to develop successful cancer treatments that get approved by health authorities (like the FDA in the U.S.). Once approved, they would then sell these medicines to hospitals and clinics, or partner with bigger pharmaceutical companies to do so. That's when the real revenue starts flowing.
• How they make money (right now): Since their drugs aren't approved yet, they don't have products to sell. Right now, their money primarily comes from investors (like you, if you buy shares in the IPO!) and potentially from partnerships with larger drug companies who might be interested in their technology.
• Are they growing? For a biotech company, "growth" isn't about selling more products today. It's about how many promising drug candidates they have in their "pipeline" (the list of drugs they're developing), how far along those drugs are in testing (from early lab work to human clinical trials), and the positive results they're getting. The more successful their trials, the more valuable their potential future products become, and that's their growth story. They'll likely highlight how many different cancer types they're targeting and the progress of their lead drug candidates.

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3. What will they do with the money from this IPO?

Think of this IPO as Aktis Oncology getting a big cash injection to fuel their mission. They're not just raising money for fun; they have very specific plans. Typically, a biotech company like Aktis will use IPO funds for:

• Funding Clinical Trials: This is the biggest one. Testing new drugs in humans (clinical trials) is incredibly expensive and takes a long time. The IPO money will help pay for these crucial studies to prove their drugs are safe and effective.
• Research and Development (R&D): Continuing to discover new drug candidates, improve existing ones, and explore new ways to use their technology.
• Manufacturing: Setting up or expanding facilities to produce their specialized medicines if they get approved.
• Hiring Talent: Bringing in more top scientists, researchers, and business professionals to grow their team.
• General Operations: Just keeping the lights on and running the company day-to-day.

Essentially, this money is their war chest to push their promising cancer treatments closer to becoming real, approved medicines that can help patients.

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4. What are the main risks I should worry about?

Investing in a biotech company like Aktis Oncology can be exciting because of the potential for huge breakthroughs, but it also comes with some significant "what ifs." Here are the big ones:

• Drug Failure: This is the #1 risk. Most experimental drugs, even promising ones, never make it to market. They might not work as expected, or they might have unexpected side effects during clinical trials. If their main drug candidates fail, it could be a huge blow to the company.
• Regulatory Approval: Even if a drug works well, it still needs to get the green light from health authorities like the FDA. This process is very strict, takes a long time, and there's no guarantee of approval.
• Competition: The cancer treatment space is crowded. Other companies, big and small, are also developing new therapies. Aktis needs to show their treatments are better or more unique than what's already out there or what competitors are developing.
• Funding Needs: Developing drugs is super expensive. While the IPO gives them a lot of cash, they might need to raise more money in the future, which could dilute the value of existing shares.
• Intellectual Property: Their success depends on protecting their unique ideas and technologies (patents). If their patents are challenged or expire, it could hurt their business.
• No Current Products/Revenue: Remember, they don't sell approved drugs yet. This means they're not making money from sales, and their future success is entirely dependent on their pipeline.

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5. How do they compare to competitors I might know?

Aktis Oncology is playing in a very competitive field, but they're trying to stand out with their specific approach.

• Big Pharma: You've probably heard of huge pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer, Merck, or Novartis. These giants have vast resources, many approved drugs, and often their own oncology divisions. Aktis is much smaller and more focused.
• Other Biotech Companies: There are many other biotech companies, some also focused on cancer, and some specifically on radiopharmaceuticals. Aktis will likely highlight what makes their "alpha-emitting" approach unique or potentially superior to others using different types of radiation or drug delivery.
• What makes Aktis different? They'll emphasize their specific technology – the targeted alpha-emitting radiopharmaceuticals. They'll argue that this approach offers a unique advantage in terms of potency and precision compared to other treatments, potentially leading to better outcomes for patients with certain cancers. They're trying to carve out a niche where their technology can truly shine.

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6. Who's running the company?

The people at the helm are super important, especially for a biotech company where scientific expertise and leadership are key. Aktis Oncology's main office is located in Boston, Massachusetts. While this preliminary filing mentions Matthew Roden, PhD, as President and CEO, detailed biographies of the leadership team and board members are crucial for investors to review in the full S-1 filing. You'll want to look for:

• CEO (Chief Executive Officer): What's his background? Has he successfully led other biotech companies or brought drugs to market?
• Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) / Research & Development Head: These are the brains behind the science. Do they have a strong track record in oncology or radiopharmaceutical development?
• Board of Directors: Who are the independent advisors guiding the company? Do they have relevant industry experience or financial expertise?

A strong, experienced leadership team with a history of scientific innovation and business success can be a good sign, as they've likely navigated similar challenges before.

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7. Where will it trade and under what symbol?

Once Aktis Oncology goes public (remember, this is still a proposed IPO based on their December 2025 filing), you'll be able to find its shares on a major stock exchange.

• Exchange: Most likely, it will trade on the NASDAQ Global Market (often just called NASDAQ). This exchange is very popular for technology and biotech companies.
• Ticker Symbol: It will have a short, unique code that you'll use to find it. For example, if it were "Aktis Oncology," a possible ticker could be "AKTS" (this is just an example, the actual symbol will be announced).

You'll be able to buy and sell shares through your brokerage account, just like any other publicly traded stock.

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8. How many shares and what price range?

This is the nitty-gritty of the IPO offering itself.

• Number of Shares Offered: This tells you how many pieces of the company they are initially selling to the public.
• Expected Price Range: Before the IPO, the company and its bankers will set an estimated price range for each share.

Important Note: This preliminary filing from December 2025 doesn't yet include the specific number of shares or the expected price range. These details will be provided in later updates to their S-1 filing as they get closer to the actual IPO date. It's important to remember that this initial price is just a starting point, and the stock price can go up or down significantly once it starts trading.

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Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Investing in IPOs, especially in biotech companies, carries significant risks. Always do your own thorough research, consider your personal financial situation, and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.