ITM Isotope Technologies Munich SE has opened the largest production facility in the world for lutetium-177, a therapeutic radioisotope that can be used as part of a targeted radionuclide therapy to treat various cancers, in Neufahrn near Munich, in Bavaria, Germany.

The facility will be located at NOVA Neufahrn industrial park, and increase ITM’s capacity tenfold to supply clinics, pharmaceutical partners, and its own drug pipeline to cater to growing demands worldwide.

The 7,000-square-meter site, which is located near Munich Airport for quick shipments, will include up to 200 employees in research, radiopharmaceutical manufacturing, and aseptic production, along with clean rooms, laboratories, and offices. Its production processes and internal logistics will be highly automated, according to ITM.
“The Bavarian Research Foundation has already provided financial support for many of the company’s important research projects," said Dr. Florian Herrmann, head of the state chancellery and minister of state for federal affairs and media, in a statement.

Demand is especially high for lutetium-177 in the treatment of neuroendocrine tumors and certain metastatic prostate cancers.

The facility will work in conjunction with ITM’s existing factory IAZ at the main site in Garching near Munich, where the company set up a new production line back in October, multiplying its capacity for manufacturing noncarrier-added Lutetium-177.

Test runs at the NOVA Neufahrn site will begin in the next few months, with final official approvals expected by next year.

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