Full Press Release Details
Melbourne (Australia) | 13 November 2024
Telix today announces that it has entered into a technology collaboration and licence agreement with Berlin-based Eckert & Ziegler SE (EZAG) for the use of EZAG’s cyclotron-based systems to produce the alpha-emitting isotope, actinium-225 ( 225 Ac). This provides Telix with both an additional commercial source of 225 Ac and access to a platform technology that enables highly efficient, scalable isotope production for use in the development of next generation targeted alpha therapies (TATs), a strategic focus for Telix.
EZAG is one of the world’s largest providers of isotope technology for medical, scientific and industrial use and a long-term partner of Telix. By combining EZAG’s technology with Telix’s rapidly expanding global manufacturing footprint, the collaboration will enhance capacity to produce 225 Ac, to accelerate the development of Telix’s alpha therapy candidates and support eventual commercial demand.
“This new collaboration is a significant step in the implementation of our actinium strategy,” said Dr. Harald Hasselmann, Chief Executive Officer of Eckert & Ziegler. “Eckert & Ziegler and Telix have a long-standing and multi-faceted business relationship. Combining the strengths of two leading players in radiopharmaceuticals and isotopes will create a collaboration for the supply of actinium-225-based radiotherapeutics, that are of high interest worldwide.”
Raphaël Ortiz, Chief Executive Officer, Telix International, added: “Targeted alpha therapy is regarded as the next frontier in the field of radiopharmaceuticals and is a priority R&D focus for Telix. This collaboration will enable us to unlock the early investment we have made in alpha therapy candidates and further leverage our manufacturing facilities worldwide, including in Brussels South, for the production of this important alpha emitting isotope.”
Alpha emitters such as 225 Ac have the potential to deliver high amounts of energy to cancer tissue, while their short range can reduce the risk of damage to surrounding healthy cells, increasing the selectivity and potency of radiation treatment. In contrast, beta emitters such as lutetium-177 ( 177 Lu) and iodine-131 ( 131 I) have a longer penetration, which may suit bulky metastatic disease. The development of TATs is a priority research and development focus area for Telix and is highly complementary to the Company’s existing late-stage therapeutic pipeline. Experts believe the demand for 225 Ac will increase significantly over the next decade.
Telix’s R&D commitment to TAT is demonstrated in an extensive clinical-stage TAT pipeline:
In addition, the completed OPALESCENCE [6] and PERTINENCE [7] investigator-initiated trials have demonstrated CAIX-targeting and dosimetry proof-of-concept for alpha therapy in triple-negative breast cancer, and non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer, respectively, using TLX250-CDx PET [8] .
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[1] Prostate-specific membrane antigen.
[2] Carbonic anhydrase IX.
[3] TLX102 labelled with astatine-211. All other listed alpha therapies labelled with actinium-225.
[4] Large amino acid transporter 1.
[5] Telix ASX disclosure 17 April 2023.
[6] ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT04758780 . Positive topline results presented at SABCS in December 2023, Telix media release 7 December 2023.
[7] ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT04897763 .
[8] Positron emission tomography.