Actineer, a joint venture between Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) and ITM Isotope Technologies Munich SE, has successfully completed a closed-loop process to recycle radium-226 (Ra-226), the precursor material used to produce actinium-225 (Ac-225) for targeted alpha therapy in oncology.
The closed-loop process allows Ra-226 to be recovered, purified, and re-introduced into production without degradation in performance across multiple cycles. Actineer said the system is designed to reduce dependence on constrained global Ra-226 inventories, improve Ac-225 supply predictability and cost stability, and reduce waste generation.
The joint venture uses a cyclotron-based production pathway in which Ra-226 is bombarded with protons to generate Ac-225, which Actineer said offers lower Ra-226 requirements per unit of Ac-225 produced and high radionuclidic purity suitable for clinical applications. The company said it is advancing toward routine commercial-scale production developed for good manufacturing practice (GMP) compliance.
