THU AM News: Archeus Technologies, WARF launching clinical trial this year for cancer targeting molecule; Exact Sciences plans to roll out updated version of Oncodetect

May 29, 2025

— Archeus Technologies in Madison and WARF are launching a clinical trial this year for a targeting molecule used in treating prostate cancer.

The organizations yesterday announced the plans to further develop ART-101, a receptor-based targeting molecule developed at UW-Madison’s Advanced Radiotheranostics lab. It’s designed to deliver radioactive isotopes within the body as part of a targeted treatment approach.

ART-101 has been tested in preclinical studies that found it demonstrated “significantly higher tumor uptake and retention” than an existing prostate cancer treatment, according to the announcement. Phase 1 of the clinical trial process will begin this year.

Evan Sengbusch, CEO of Archeus Technologies, is touting the company’s close ties to the university and expertise in bringing new drugs to market. He notes the targeting molecule is part of its portfolio of therapies for cancers that are “particularly challenging” to treat.

“With strong preclinical data supporting the continued development of ART-101, Archeus is eager to lead the evaluation of this novel candidate through first-in-human studies,” he said in a statement.

The molecule was created with support from the WARF Accelerator program, which helps inventors advance commercially viable technologies and other breakthroughs.

Jeanine Burmania, senior director of intellectual property and licensing at the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, notes ART-101 has “significant potential” to advance the field of theranostics. This approach involves diagnostics and therapeutics, typically using radioactive drugs, to find and treat cancer.

“Encouraging preclinical data suggest that ART-101 could help increase lifespan and be more effective in treating prostate cancer than current therapies,” Burmania said in a statement.

See the release and listen to an earlier podcast with Laura Strong, a strategic advisor for Archeus Technologies.

— Exact Sciences plans to introduce an updated version of its Oncodetect test next year, improving its ability to identify circulating cancer DNA.

The Madison diagnostics business yesterday announced the “next-generation” version of its molecular residual disease is currently being tested across multiple types of solid tumors. It will be able to track up to 5,000 patient-specific cancer variants, the release notes, boasting an “ultra low” detection threshold.

The updated version of Oncodetect is based in part on a genetic sequencing technology called MAESTRO, created in collaboration with the Broad Institute in Cambridge. Exact Sciences has exclusive rights to the technology, which can detect certain circulating tumor DNA mutations “with high accuracy” while keeping related costs low, the company says.

Brian Baranick, executive vice president and general manager of precision oncology for Exact Sciences, says the next version of Oncodetect will “enhance sensitivity and expand clinical utility” thanks to the sequencing technology.

“We launched the Oncodetect test to give clinicians and patients a powerful tool for detecting cancer recurrence earlier and with greater precision — progress that’s already being realized,” Baranick said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the company yesterday also rolled out clinical validation study findings that will be presented at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting, which begins tomorrow in Chicago. Results from the Beta-CORRECT study show the test “significantly improves prognosis prediction” compared to current standard of care, the release shows.

See more in the release.

— U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin is touting legislation that would allow Medicare to negotiate prices for more drugs, among other changes.

The Madison Dem yesterday announced she joined other federal lawmakers to introduce the “Strengthening Medicare and Reducing Taxpayer Prices Act,” which would expand the number of drugs Medicare must negotiate on to 50 per year.

It would also boost the discount Medicare could negotiate while making changes to the timeline for price negotiations on certain prescription drugs, according to her office.

Baldwin argues state residents shouldn’t “be forced to forgo the medication they need” due to how much it costs.

“This bill will build on the progress we’ve made to give more Americans some breathing room –- cracking down on greedy drug companies and helping ensure no Wisconsinite has to choose between affording their medication and putting food on the table,” she said in a statement.

See the release.

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— First quarter bank lending increased across all categories over the year, the Wisconsin Bankers Association reports.

The group yesterday highlighted the latest federal banking figures, showing residential real estate lending at Wisconsin banks rose 8.67% over the year. At the same time, farm lending rose 8.95% and commercial lending rose 5%, while deposits also increased by 5.63%.

WBA President and CEO Rose Oswald Poels says the first-quarter figures from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation show that 2025 has “started off steady” for banks in the state.

“The increase in farm and commercial lending continued through the first quarter,” she said in a statement. “The data also reflects that Wisconsin’s residential real estate market continues to be competitive.”

See the release.

— The conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty is spotlighting “overly stringent regulation” as a major contributor to high child care costs.

The group yesterday published a report called “Reforming Childcare in Wisconsin: Reducing Regulatory Burdens to Expand Access,” which it created with right-leaning think tank the Archbridge Institute. In it, WILL says the state is more heavily regulated than many other surrounding states and the country overall.

The report shows the average monthly cost of full-time child care for a single child is $915 per month in Wisconsin, equal to 17% of median household income for families with children under age 6. That cost makes up a smaller share of household income for residents of Iowa, Illinois and Indiana, per the report.

WILL notes much of the policy debate around addressing high child care costs has focused on boosting subsidies for providers, but the group argues “additional subsidies are not the right remedy” for the root cause of this problem.

While the nonprofit says “smart regulation” to limit accidents and hold child care centers responsible for fraud and negligence are important, it argues avoiding “unnecessary burdens” from regulations is just as important.

“Overly stringent regulation raises the cost of operating a childcare center, limiting entry into the market and likely resulting in higher prices for services,” authors wrote.

The report includes a number of recommendations, including lowering educational requirements for child care center directors and teachers. By aligning with Michigan’s approach — which requires 21 months of schooling rather than 31 months in Wisconsin — WILL says the state would make these roles more accessible.

In a section on staff-to-child ratios, authors say the state has room to relax its requirements for certain age groups “without being more liberal than bordering and regional states.” Increasing the state’s maximum allowed group size is another policy put forth in the report.

WILL Policy Associate Miranda Spindt says families in the state are faced with a dual crisis of both affordability and access to child care.

“This report demonstrates that unnecessary regulations are a significant contributing factor,” she said in a statement. “While ensuring the health and safety of children is paramount, the current regulatory framework is simply outdated and places a significant financial burden on hardworking families.”

See the release and report.

— Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce is moving from downtown Madison to a new location at the American Center Business Park in Madison, the group announced.

Starting Tuesday, WMC and all of its affiliate groups will be located at its new facility on the city’s east side, which it purchased in January. That includes the WMC Foundation, the Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce Executives and others.

See the release.

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