Isotope used in cancer drug development shipped for clinical trials
TerraPower Isotopes, a developer of radioisotopes and nuclear technologies, has shipped Actinium-225 to two pharmaceutical companies, where the samples will be used in clinical trials to develop cancer treatments and new drugs.
The company said it aims to boost Actinium-225 supply for medical applications targeting cancer. The alpha-emitting radionuclide, when attached to a molecule in approved drug products, can selectively destroy cancerous tissue, ideally with minimal harm to nearby healthy cells.
“This is a groundbreaking step for TerraPower in using its nuclear technology to advance the healthcare sector. With this first round of samples, we are expanding the availability of this rare isotope, bringing the medical community closer to commercial sales of Actinium-225 and increasing widespread access for patients,” Scott Claunch, president of TerraPower Isotopes said in a statement.
Claunch explained that there is currently a high demand for Actinium-225 and it’s only increasing as new treatments are developed, adding that “current capacity is short of drug development or commercialization requirements, which limits drug trials.”
He said TerraPower is working to address the demand with new supply so drug trials can move forward.
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