Bayer and BWXT Medical will develop and distribute Ac-225 for use in targeted alpha therapies.
Bayer, BWXT Medical to tackle cancer with targeted alpha therapies via Ac-225 supply agreement
July 08, 2022
by John R. Fischer, Senior Reporter
BWXT Medical, a subsidiary of nuclear solutions manufacturer BWX Technologies, will supply Bayer AG with high-purity Actinium-225 for use in targeted alpha therapies.
Targeted alpha therapies are an emerging class of radionuclide therapy for various tumors with a high unmet medical need. They directly hit tumors with alpha radiation through bone-seeking properties (radium-223) or by combining alpha radionuclides, such as Ac-225, with specific tumor-seeking targeting vectors.
As part of its agreement with BWXT Medical, Bayer will have access to the supply at predetermined rates. “Targeted radionuclide therapies are developed to improve outcomes for patients with different types of cancers. We will leverage our nuclear medicine strengths to collaborate with Bayer over the long term,” said Martyn Coombs, president of BWXT Medical, in a statement.
The agreement is expected to start later this year. It builds upon a previous one made between the two in September 2021 to develop a supply of Ac-225, as well as engage in future opportunities to commercialize products that leverage targeted radionuclide therapies.
A global enterprise specializing in healthcare and nutrition, Bayer currently has six marketed products within its oncology portfolio, including Xofigo (radium-223 dichloride, the first and only approved TAT); and several other TATs in different stages of development. Another is an investigational Ac-225 labeled differentiated prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) small molecule, for treating prostate cancer.
BWXT Medical plans to partner with companies that will help it further develop its supply of Ac-225, which will be processed and manufactured at BWXT Medical facilities.
It will continue to grow its partnership with Bayer over several stages. It also has developed a joint venture with Global Medical Solutions (GMS) to manufacture and distribute radiopharmaceuticals in the Asia Pacific region. The agreement will replicate operations in North America for the irradiation of molybdenum into technetium-99m (Tc-99m) for diagnostic procedures and the manufacturing of Tc-99m generators.
GMS’ subsidiaries will own the physical operations for the joint venture, which is expected to go into effect in 2023.
Targeted alpha therapies are an emerging class of radionuclide therapy for various tumors with a high unmet medical need. They directly hit tumors with alpha radiation through bone-seeking properties (radium-223) or by combining alpha radionuclides, such as Ac-225, with specific tumor-seeking targeting vectors.
As part of its agreement with BWXT Medical, Bayer will have access to the supply at predetermined rates. “Targeted radionuclide therapies are developed to improve outcomes for patients with different types of cancers. We will leverage our nuclear medicine strengths to collaborate with Bayer over the long term,” said Martyn Coombs, president of BWXT Medical, in a statement.
The agreement is expected to start later this year. It builds upon a previous one made between the two in September 2021 to develop a supply of Ac-225, as well as engage in future opportunities to commercialize products that leverage targeted radionuclide therapies.
A global enterprise specializing in healthcare and nutrition, Bayer currently has six marketed products within its oncology portfolio, including Xofigo (radium-223 dichloride, the first and only approved TAT); and several other TATs in different stages of development. Another is an investigational Ac-225 labeled differentiated prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) small molecule, for treating prostate cancer.
BWXT Medical plans to partner with companies that will help it further develop its supply of Ac-225, which will be processed and manufactured at BWXT Medical facilities.
It will continue to grow its partnership with Bayer over several stages. It also has developed a joint venture with Global Medical Solutions (GMS) to manufacture and distribute radiopharmaceuticals in the Asia Pacific region. The agreement will replicate operations in North America for the irradiation of molybdenum into technetium-99m (Tc-99m) for diagnostic procedures and the manufacturing of Tc-99m generators.
GMS’ subsidiaries will own the physical operations for the joint venture, which is expected to go into effect in 2023.