Successful Cyclotron Irradiation of Ra-226 Paves the Way for Actineer’s Large-Scale Ac-225 Production for Cancer Treatments
Actineer, the joint venture between ITM and Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) Ltd., has achieved a significant milestone by successfully producing Actinium-225 (Ac-225) through the irradiation of Radium-226 (Ra-226) in a cyclotron. This accomplishment positions the joint venture to deliver GMP-grade Ac-225 to customers by mid-2025, alongside the submission of a US Drug Master File (DMF).
“Actineer is proud to have reached this important milestone,” stated Ram Mullur, President of Actineer. “This achievement marks a critical step towards our goal of becoming a major global supplier of Ac-225. We are committed to serving customers, the medical community, and, most importantly, patients who rely on Ac-225 to advance Targeted Alpha Therapy.”
Ac-225 is a crucial precursor in developing innovative cancer therapies. It holds particular value in drug research and clinical trials focused on Targeted Alpha Therapy (TAT), where it is combined with molecules designed to target and bind to cancer cells. Once attached, Ac-225 is delivered directly to the tumor, allowing it to treat various cancers by attacking malignant cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues. Future drug products using Ac-225, once fully developed and approved, could provide powerful treatments that precisely target and eliminate cancerous tissue with fewer side effects.
“Actinium-225 represents a transformative opportunity in cancer treatment. Looking ahead, the global demand for Ac-225 is expected to surge, driven by the urgent need for innovative therapies that can address hard-to-reach tumors and metastases,” remarked Dr. Andrew Cavey, CEO of ITM and Chairman of the Actineer Board. “Actineer is leading the way in delivering a stable and scalable supply of Ac-225, which is essential for advancing clinical trials and making life-saving treatments accessible to patients worldwide.”
Alpha-emitters like Ac-225 emit high-energy alpha particles with a short penetration range, enabling precise targeting of tumor cells. Preclinical studies of TATs have demonstrated impressive results, with Ac-225 effectively breaking the DNA bonds of cancer cells, leading to their destruction.
Actineer is committed to expanding manufacturing capacity and increasing the supply of Ac-225, ensuring that patients worldwide can benefit from this promising isotope as a foundation for future cancer therapies.
About Actineer, Inc.
Actineer™ Inc. is a joint venture company between Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) and ITM Isotope Technologies Munich SE (ITM) dedicated to advancing Ac-225 technologies, quickly securing supply, and producing industrial-scale quantities of this valuable, rare medical radioisotope for the treatment of cancer. Founded in October 2023, Actineer™ Inc. together with its strong supply chain collaborators will progress Ac-225 development, production and processing technologies. It has established short-term production capabilities that is expected to lead to significantly boosting international supplies, while working long-term towards the construction of a new Actinium Production Facility (APF) in Canada. The joint venture’s mission is to fulfil the unmet global manufacturing and production needs of this coveted radioisotope with significant potential in the fight against cancer.
