A chemical conjugate composed of the dye IR700 linked to cetuximab, a monoclonal antibody directed against the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), with potential antineoplastic activity. Upon injection, the cetuximab moiety targets and binds to EGFR-expressing tumor cells, resulting in the internalization of the conjugate. Upon localized application of near-infrared (NIR) light, the IR700 dye becomes activated, disrupts the cell membrane and selectively kills the EGFR-expressing tumor cells. EGFR, a tyrosine kinase receptor, is overexpressed in a variety of cancers.