Areva Med has commenced lead-212 production at its new domestic distribution and purification unit (DDPU) in Plano, Texas.
The lead-212 is a rare metal used in targeted alpha therapy (TAT), in an increasing number of studies to target cancer cells, while limiting the impact on nearby healthy cells.
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Areva Med said that it has developed a unique process to extract lead-212.
With increased production capacities, Areva Med will accelerate the development of TATs using lead-212 to combat cancer.
The new facility will allow Areva Med to expand the range and increase the quality of products and services for its American partners and customers.
Areva Med CEO Patrick Bourdet said: "Our new modular and unique US plant will allow us to quickly expand our cancer therapy pipeline and increase collaboration within the entire continent."
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By GlobalDataConstruction on the facility commenced in September last year.
The DDPU will house the company’s US activities in a centralised modular plant, which will also hold Areva Med subsidiary Macrocyclics’ operations.
Macrocyclics is involved in the design and manufacturing of chelating agents for nuclear medicine.
Plano Mayor Harry LaRosiliere said: "It is always a great day when we can welcome to the City of Plano a US Headquarters and international company such as Areva Med, which does invaluable work in the field of cancer research.
"We look forward to their success and future expansion as they continue to develop innovative cancer therapies."
The company already operates its first-of-a-kind high-purity lead-212 production facility in France since 2013.
Areva Med collaborates with world-renowned scientific partners, and formed a strategic global alliance with Roche in 2012, to create a new advanced alpha radioimmunotherapy platform.
Image: Plano Mayor Harry LaRosiliere and Areva Med CEO Patrick Bourdet inaugurate second lead-212 production facility. Photo: courtesy of Jim Herndon.
