IBA and SCK CEN launch Pantera, a joint-venture to produce actinium-225
September 22 2022 - 1:00AM
IBA and SCK CEN launch Pantera, a joint-venture to produce
actinium-225
Louvain-La-Neuve, Belgium, 22 September
2022 – IBA (Ion Beam Applications S.A., EURONEXT), the
world leader in particle accelerator technology, and the Belgian
Nuclear Research Centre SCK CEN today announced the name of their
joint-venture: Pantera SA/NV, which they believe will bring new
hope for cancer patients. As indicated in the announcement of the
R&D strategic partnership, this new company will aim to secure
the large-scale production of actinium-225 (225Ac), one of the most
promising alpha-emitting radioisotopes to fight cancers. By working
towards this large-scale production, Pantera’s ultimate goal is to
improve the accessibility of a future innovative cancer therapy
based on 225Ac.
The complementarity of IBA and SCK CEN’s
expertise has been demonstrated by the extensive and comprehensive
R&D work that has been conducted during the last year as they
work towards being able to produce large volumes of 225Ac. Pantera
is now completing the technical feasibility studies before working
on the final design and construction of its first facility in Mol,
Belgium. Groundbreaking is expected to take place in 2024, with
production starting in 2027.
Sven Van den Berghe, former Director of the
Nuclear Materials Science Institute at SCK CEN, has been appointed
as Chief Executive Officer, and Samy Bertrand, former technical
leader for theranostics applications at IBA, takes the position of
Chief Technical Officer.
Bruno Scutnaire, President of IBA
RadioPharma Solutions and Chairman of the Board of Directors of
Pantera, said: “Actinium-225 offers great promise for the
treatment of a large variety of cancers, but only very little of
the material is available worldwide today. Once cancer
treatments based on 225Ac receive approval, Pantera will focus on
enabling access to a dependable supply of this promising
isotope.”
Peter Baeten, Deputy Director-General of
SCK CEN and Board member of Pantera, commented: “Launching
Pantera was a logical choice for SCK CEN and IBA, allowing the
joint-venture to leverage the innovative capabilities of both
organizations, whilst utilizing the speed of an autonomous startup
necessary in this fast-evolving field.”
Sven Van den Berghe, appointed Chief
Executive Officer of Pantera, added: “I am excited about
the opportunity to help advance the mission of Pantera to bring a
new hope for cancer patients by enabling the widespread use of
radioisotopes, such as actinium-225, as a basis for promising new
radiopharmaceuticals. Pantera offers ’A better fight for life’,
potentially bringing an effective and efficient treatment option
while maximizing the quality of life of the patients, with the
possibility to expand the production to other isotopes in the
future.”
***
Actinium-225 possesses the resounding potential to treat
cancers more effectively. Initial results show that the theranostic
radioisotope completely eliminates cancer cells, rather than just
inhibiting tumour growth. The risk of recurrence also appears to
decrease. To date, extensive research and numerous studies are
underway which aim to tackle both high prevalence cancers including
prostate, lung, colon, breast, pancreatic, blood (leukemia and
other rare forms) and kidney cancers, but also rarer forms of
cancer like glioblastoma, the deadliest form of a very invasive
brain cancer. |
***ENDS***
About IBA
IBA (Ion Beam Applications S.A.) is the world
leader in particle accelerator technology. The company is the
leading supplier of equipment and services in the field of proton
therapy, considered to be the most advanced form of radiation
therapy available today. IBA is also a leading player in the fields
of industrial sterilization, radiopharmaceuticals and dosimetry.
The company, based in Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, employs
approximately 1,600 people worldwide. IBA is a certified B
Corporation (B Corp) meeting the highest standards of verified
social and environmental performance.IBA is listed on the
pan-European stock exchange EURONEXT (IBA: Reuters IBAB.BR and
Bloomberg IBAB.BB).More information can be found at:
www.iba-worldwide.com
About SCK CENSCK CEN is one of Belgium’s largest
research centres. It has more than 850 employees who devote
themselves every day to developing peaceful applications of nuclear
energy. The research activities of SCK CEN relate to three main
themes: the safety of nuclear facilities, the development of
nuclear medicine and protecting the population and the environment
against ionising radiation. SCK CEN is recognised worldwide and
shares its knowledge through numerous publications and training
courses in order to keep up this exceptional pool of talent.More
information can be found at: www.sckcen.be
CONTACTS
IBA
SCK CENOlivier
Lechien
Wendy De GrooteCorporate Communication
Director
Communications Officer+32 10 475
890
+32 14 33 21
49communication@iba-group.com
pers@sckcen.be
Soumya ChandramouliChief
Financial Officer+32 10 475 890investorrelations@iba-group.com
- 20220922-PanTera-a_Joint-Venture-of-IBA-and-SCK_CEN-EN
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