Radiopharmaceutical Industry Sees Boost in Actinium-225 Production

In a significant development for the rapidly growing radiopharmaceutical sector, multiple companies have announced deals to increase the production of actinium-225, a critical isotope for targeted cancer therapies. These agreements aim to address the current supply limitations and support the expanding field of radiopharmaceuticals in oncology.

Ratio Therapeutics Secures Actinium-225 Supply

Ratio Therapeutics has entered into an agreement with TerraPower Isotopes, a company founded by Bill Gates, to obtain non-cGMP actinium-225. This isotope will be used in the development of Ratio's radiopharmaceuticals, leveraging their Trillium and Macropa platforms for cancer cell targeting.

John Babich, Ph.D., President and CEO of Ratio Therapeutics, emphasized the importance of this deal, stating, "Securing a reliable supply of Actinium-225 is a critical step in advancing our pipeline of targeted alpha therapies."

In a separate agreement, Ratio has also partnered with Nusano to access commercial-scale supplies of copper-64 for PET imaging diagnostics, as well as lutetium-177 and actinium-225 for therapeutic applications.

Ionetix and AlfaRim Collaborate on Cyclotron-Produced Actinium-225

Michigan-based isotope manufacturer Ionetix has formed a partnership with Dutch deeptech firm AlfaRim to commercialize cyclotron-produced actinium-225. This collaboration aims to achieve a "near-term scale-up" of actinium-225 production, establishing a sustainable, commercial-scale supply for next-generation targeted alpha therapies.

AlfaRim has developed innovative methods to produce actinium-225 at an industrial scale, using technology that bombards radium-225 with protons. The company is currently working on a Dutch manufacturing facility that could potentially increase the global supply of actinium-225 tenfold.

Kevin Cameron, CEO of Ionetix, highlighted the significance of this partnership, saying, "We are excited to be working with AlfaRim to bring these desperately needed radioisotopes to patients globally. Reliable commercial supply will be crucial to ensuring patients get the benefits of these treatments."

Industry Growth and Future Outlook

The radiopharmaceutical industry has experienced explosive growth in recent years, with forecasts by Insight Partners projecting the market to reach $26.5 billion by 2031. This growth is largely dependent on the steady supply of radioisotopes like actinium-225.

Historically, the production of actinium-225 has been limited, particularly for large-scale clinical trials. This scarcity is partly due to the isotope's lack of natural abundance and its typical production as a byproduct from the decay of thorium-229.

The recent agreements between Ratio Therapeutics, TerraPower Isotopes, Ionetix, AlfaRim, and Nusano represent significant steps toward addressing these supply challenges. As production capabilities expand, the radiopharmaceutical industry is poised for continued growth and innovation in cancer treatment.