Framatome, IBA to develop At-211 production network in Europe and U.S.

Through the partnership, the companies aim to build a network of specialized alpha-emitting cyclotrons to ensure a timely and consistent production of At-211, which is being investigated for its potential in the treatment of cancer through targeted alpha therapy.

Pilot facility: The first milestone in the Framatome-IBA collaboration will be the establishment of a dedicated production pilot facility, set to be installed by 2027–2028. Framatome will make a financial investment in the partnership, with IBA contributing equipment. The facility is to be built in the Pays de la Loire region in France, leveraging the region’s nuclear medicine research ecosystem and industrial expertise.

According to the companies, the pilot facility will inform the development of a global network of new alpha-emitting cyclotrons across Europe and the United States. The scalable network is intended to meet the growing demand for At-211 and secure its timely availability.

They said it: “The secure, scalable, and timely supply of AT-211 is vital for addressing unmet medical needs, and we are committed to building a robust production network to serve the growing demand,” said François Gauché, vice president of Framatome Healthcare. “Together, we will provide cancer researchers and patients with access to cutting-edge therapeutic solutions while creating a sustainable foundation for future growth.”

Charles Kumps, president of IBA RadioPharma Solutions, added, “By leveraging our combined expertise in cyclotron technology and in nuclear medicine, we are creating the critical infrastructure necessary to unlock the full potential of these groundbreaking therapies.”

Combined expertise: In 2022, Framatome was part of an international collaboration with Bruce Power and ITM Isotope Technologies Munich SE to begin the first large-scale commercial production of the medical isotope lutetium-177 in a nuclear power reactor.

In 2024, IBA, through its joint venture PanTera, signed a capacity reservation agreement with pharmaceutical giant Bayer for the supply of actinium-225, which is also used in targeted alpha therapy.