SCK CEN Announced A New Partnership To Accelerate The Fight Against Cancer

The Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK CEN (ENS Corporate Member) announced that the US-based SpectronRx will open its first European radiolabeling facility for sorely needed medical radioisotopes. The facility will be established on the premises of the research centre in Mol, Belgium.

Both organisations have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), in which they agreed that SpectronRx will provide state-of-the-art equipment and a Quality System with GMP-qualified procedures, whereas SCK CEN will supply the necessary resources to meet the development objectives.

The new facility will be operational by 2024 and focus on the labeling of actinium-225 radiopharmaceuticals for therapy.

Actinium-225 possesses the resounding potential to treat cancers more effectively. Initial results show that the theranostic radioisotope completely eliminates cancer cells, thanks to its high cytotoxic potency within a very short range, rather than just inhibiting tumour growth. The risk of recurrence also appears to decrease. To date, extensive research and numerous studies are underway which aim to tackle both high prevalence cancers, but also rarer forms.

“Actinium-225 needs are receiving critical attention from many. With the current promising research results, we are convinced that research and development of this radiopharmaceutical will quickly grow in the years to come. As said before, our mission is to accelerate the fight against cancer: we want to keep this promise even in the face of the growing demand for patients”

said Koen Hasaers, Director of Nuclear Medical Applications at SCK CEN.

Read the full SCK CEN Press Release.

Several projects are currently focusing on this promising radioisotope.

In September 2022, SCK CEN and IBA (Ion Beam Applications S.A.), the world leader in particle accelerator technology, also announced the creation of the joint-venture Pantera SA/NV, resulting from the strategic R&D partnership between SCK CEN and IBA to enable the production of actinium-225 (225Ac).

Medical isotopes benefit thousands of patients every day in current clinical practice and have great potential for future clinical challenges.

This year, ENS, together with Euratom Supply Agency (ENS Member), organised the event Beating Cancer – turning the tide with medical isotopes, which gave us the opportunity to learn more about those amazing developments and to discuss the challenges ahead.

You can find its recording and all materials in our Special Newsletter.