Eckert & Ziegler And UJF Open State-Of-The-Art Actinium-225 Production Facility

Eckert & Ziegler Radiopharma GmbH (Eckert & Ziegler), in collaboration with the Nuclear Physics Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences (Ústav jaderné fyziky, “UJF”), announces the grand opening of a pioneering Actinium-225 (Ac-225) production facility. This milestone, celebrated yesterday with an official ceremony featuring Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, marks the culmination of a longstanding partnership between Eckert & Ziegler and UJF. The facility is now close to operational readiness, and after additional testing, commercial production is slated to commence at the beginning of Q3/2024.

Currently, Ac-225-based radiopharmaceuticals are under clinical investigation for various cancers, including prostate tumors, colorectal cancer, and leukemia. A substantial increase in the demand for Ac-225 is projected over the next decade, driven by its expanding clinical applications and the promising results seen in ongoing trials. Despite its therapeutic promise, sufficient quantities of Ac-225 remain scarce.

"Eckert & Ziegler, in conjunction with UJF, has explored one of the most promising cyclotron-based production pathways for Ac-225," said Dr. Lutz Helmke, Managing Director of Eckert & Ziegler Radiopharma GmbH. "Our collaboration signifies a major leap forward in isotope production, addressing the critical shortage of this isotope poised to revolutionize modern oncology."

The newly inaugurated laboratory will leverage cutting-edge technologies, including a customized production line provided by Isotope Technologies Dresden GmbH, which represents the Plant Engineering business of Eckert & Ziegler. Radium-226, necessary for irradiation processes, will also be supplied by Eckert & Ziegler.

"Today's opening marks a significant achievement in our collaboration with Eckert & Ziegler," commented Prof. Ondřej Lebeda, Head of Department of Radiopharmaceuticals at UJF. "This new facility is a testament to our joint dedication to innovation in the therapeutic landscape for many cancer patients."

Actinium-225 has emerged as a highly promising agent in the targeted therapy of small tumors and metastases. Its high-energy cascade of alpha particles with short penetration depths allows for precise targeting of tumor cells, including difficult-to-reach micro metastases, while minimizing impact on surrounding healthy tissue.