Orano Med Invests €250 Million in New Facility for Lead-212 Radioligand Therapy Precursors
Introduction:
Orano Med, part of the Orano Group and a leader in the development of targeted alpha therapies for cancer treatment, has marked the groundbreaking of its Advanced Thorium Extraction Facility (ATEF) in France. This facility will be the first in the world dedicated to producing thorium-228, a precursor to lead-212, which is used in radioligand therapies for cancer.
Features:
Lead-212, a key component in targeted alpha therapy, combines the ability of biological molecules to specifically target cancer cells with the powerful cell-killing properties of alpha radiation.
The challenge of producing lead-212 on a large scale has hindered the progress of these treatments. However, with innovations that ensure high purity, the ATEF plant will industrialise the production of thorium-228, a precursor for lead-212.
This production process, developed over ten years by the Laboratoire Maurice Tubiana (LMT), will supply all ATLab facilities producing lead-212-based drugs globally.
In the short term, the combined production capabilities of ATEF and LMT will support clinical trials and the launch of Orano Med’s initial treatments.
In the next decade, the facility is expected to produce up to 100,000 doses annually, enabling the global supply of lead-212 therapies for cancer patients.
ATEF is scheduled to be operational by 2027.
Specifications:
| Name : | Orano Med Lays |
| Type : | Construction |
| Budget : | €250 Million |
| Year : | 2027 |
