NorthStar and BWXT Collaborate on Critical Cancer Treatment Isotope

  • NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes LLC and BWXT Medical Ltd. have signed a Master Services Agreement to produce actinium-225, a key isotope for cancer treatment.
  • The agreement includes processing and purifying radium-226, potential target design projects, and backup supply opportunities.

NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes LLC and BWXT Medical Ltd., a subsidiary of BWX Technologies, Inc., have entered into a Master Services Agreement (MSA) to facilitate the production of actinium-225 (Ac-225). This isotope is crucial for killing cancer cells while minimising damage to healthy tissues.

The multi-year agreement will see the companies collaborate to process and purify radium-226, which will be irradiated to produce Ac-225. The scope of the MSA also includes potential target design projects and exploring opportunities to provide backup supply to each other’s customers.

BWXT Medical will work closely with NorthStar to streamline production processes, enhance safety protocols, and innovate new methods of isotope generation. This partnership aims to leverage the strengths of both organizations, combining advanced technology with extensive industry expertise.

“At NorthStar, we believe we’re on the cusp of a global paradigm shift in the development and commercialization of effective new radiodiagnostics and radiotherapies that can potentially be applied to devastating cancers and rare, complex conditions,” said Dr. Frank Scholz, NorthStar’s president and CEO. “This agreement could be instrumental to the radiopharmaceutical industry and patient health. We are excited to collaborate with BWXT on actinium production and believe our complementary technical capabilities will play a critical role in bringing novel therapies to patients who so urgently need them.”

Jonathan Cirtain, president and CEO of BWXT Medical, added, “We are pleased to enter into this agreement with NorthStar. This collaboration is a significant step forward in our mission to support healthcare providers and patients by providing high-quality medical isotopes. Together, we are accelerating our radium-226 target design and fabrication efforts and establishing another irradiation relationship that will enable us to expand our production of Ac-225.”

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