Nuclear Medicine against cancer
With its Orano Med subsidiary, Orano is at the forefront of research in nuclear medicine and is developing new therapies against cancer. In 2014, Orano Med established a Lead-212 production facility in Plano, Texas, and new offices and laboratory for its subsidiary Macrocyclics, Inc., the global leader of chelating agent technology. The radioactive isotope Lead-212 is a promising alpha therapy treatment, an innovative form of cancer-fighting radiotherapy that only affects targeted cells and limits the impact on healthy cells. This U.S. facility increased the company’s production capabilities to meet the growing need of Lead-212 for clinical developments of new cancer treatments in North America.
- 2012-2014: first clinical trial for lead-212
- #1 laboratory dedicated to the production of high-purity lead-212
- 9 international scientific partners
- 2 distinctions for research conducted by Orano Med
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Medical Research
Following the development of a unique extraction process for lead-212,
Orano Med's targeted research work in alpha therapy has undergone
unprecedented growth. The first clinical trial started in 2012. Since
then, research has continued to produce an isotope of very high purity
and to develop new treatments.
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Lead-212: a very promising isotope
The expertise of Orano in advanced nuclear technologies has enabled the
development of a method for the stable extraction of high-purity
lead-212. Already used in the research against cancer, this radioactive
isotope coming from the decay chain of thorium-232,
was all too rare. This shortage was hampering research on alpha therapy.
At present, two lead-212 production units in France and the United
States offer an invaluable supply for the medical community and the
pharmaceutical industry.
2005
Discovery of the process of extraction of the lead-212
2
Production units of lead-212 high purity in France and in the United States
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Production of lead-212
In 2013, Orano Med inaugurated the Maurice Tubiana laboratory in Bessines-sur-Gartempe, a lead-212 production facility unique in the world. This laboratory uses a robust extraction process for this rare metal in order to meet the needs of clinical development.
Since 2016, a new production unit has been operating in Texas to increase production of lead-212 and to better meet the growing demand of the pharmaceutical industry and the medical community.
Orano Med combines biotechnologies and nuclear technology to develop new therapies in the fight against cancer. The medical subsidiary of Orano has developed a unique process for the extraction and purification of lead-212 (212Pb). This rare metal is
now the subject of much research and appears in promising new treatments in the field of nuclear medicine. Orano Med is working on an innovative therapeutic approach: targeted alpha therapy, which recognizes and destroys cancer cells, while limiting
the impact on surrounding healthy cells.
Several international experts belong to its Scientific Committee and Orano Med has received an award from the Bill Clinton Foundation and the "Marie Curie Medal" from the French Nuclear Energy Society (SFEN).
2012-2014: first clinical trial of lead-212 alpha therapy. 18 patients treated.