Tens of thousands of patients could be treated with Lutetium from Petten in the coming years.
NRG|PALLAS and Curium have signed a long-term agreement to expand their current collaboration with the production of lutetium-177 (Lu-177). This therapeutic isotope will be added to the products already being produced in Petten. As a result, Curium will be able to supply approximately 70,000 doses of Lu-177 annually, helping around 14,000 patients each year.
Bertholt Leeftink, CEO of NRG|PALLAS, stated: "Curium and NRG|PALLAS have been partners in the production of essential medical isotopes since the mid-1990s. Expanding our cooperation with new irradiation services ensures a continuous supply of Lutetium for patients worldwide."
Vinod Ramnandanlal, Commercial Director of NRG|PALLAS, added: “NRG|PALLAS already produces lutetium for other partners and is now expanding this with the partnership with Curium. This aligns with our goal of making more nuclear medicines available to patients faster. This helps meet the growing demand for Lu-177 globally. Lutetium significantly impacts patients in terms of life expectancy and quality of life. Besides treating metastatic prostate cancer and neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), Lu-177 is also used in (pre)clinical research for many other indications, benefiting more patients in the long term."
NRG|PALLAS operates the HFR reactor, which produces various isotopes for diagnosing and treating different types of cancer and heart diseases. With Curium's access to the HFR's capacity, the company can reliably meet the demand for Lu-177 products and the increasing need.
The HFR reactor of NRG|PALLAS and Curium's Lu-177 production facility are both located on the Energy & Health Campus in Petten, ensuring no time is lost in the production of lutetium (half-life), allowing nuclear medicines to reach patients in Dutch and other hospitals as quickly as possible. To support its Lu-177 production platform, Curium is currently installing several Lu-177 production lines at its facilities in Petten.
