Radioisotope manufacturing facility unveiled by Nusano in Utah

In a significant move to bolster the supply of medical radioisotopes, Nusano, a leading radioisotope producer, announced a long-term, multi-isotope supply agreement with Boston-based pharmaceutical company Ratio Therapeutics in June. This agreement comes in addition to the previously announced agreement with GlyTherix, an Australian targeted radiotherapy company.

The new facility, located in West Valley, UT, represents a $300 million investment and is designed to support domestic radiopharmaceutical manufacturing. The state-of-the-art facility, opened in June, can produce up to 12 different radioisotopes simultaneously, with the potential to expand its production capabilities beyond the initial 12.

While the new agreement with Ratio Therapeutics does not provide details on the types of radioisotopes involved, it is clear that new supplies of radioisotopes are urgently needed for new and emerging cancer diagnostics and therapeutics. Existing medical radioisotope supply chains are often strained, posing a risk to patient care, clinical trials, and ongoing drug development.

Unlike GlyTherix, which is developing a radiopharmaceutical that combines Lu-177 with an antibody that targets glypican-1, a protein found in aggressive cancers, Ratio Therapeutics is not specified as developing a specific radiopharmaceutical in this context. However, the company's entry into a long-term and multi-isotope supply contract with Nusano is a testament to the growing demand for radioisotopes in the pharmaceutical industry.

In January, Nusano announced a Lu-177 supply agreement with GlyTherix, and GlyTherix plans to launch a phase I trial for the radiopharmaceutical. Production at the new facility is scheduled to begin in late 2025, with the facility capable of producing more than 40 radioisotopes applicable to the life sciences industry under full operations.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox was present for the facility opening, underscoring the importance of the facility to the state and the nation. In June 2021, companies such as Ratio Therapeutics entered into long-term and multi-isotope supply contracts with Nusano; however, specific names of other companies involved have not been publicly disclosed.

As the demand for radioisotopes continues to grow, Nusano's expansion and partnerships with companies like Ratio Therapeutics and GlyTherix are crucial steps towards ensuring a stable and secure supply of these essential materials for life-saving medical treatments.