Framatome, an international leader in nuclear energy, also committed to the industrial development of products and services for human health through its Framatome Healthcare brand, and IBA (Ion Beam Applications, EURONEXT), the world leader in particle accelerator technology and radiopharmaceutical production solutions, announce the establishment of a joint venture (JV) named “Ekalia,” with its dedicated logo:
The Ekalia joint venture is dedicated to deploying an international network of industrial-scale Astatine 211 (211At) production sites close to customers, making this promising radioisotope available for future targeted cancer therapies. Jointly owned by the two partners, the new company combines IBA's cutting edge cyclotron and isotope production technologies with Framatome's nuclear industrial expertise. Together, the two companies intend to establish a network of production sites across Europe and North America.
Addressing a major challenge in nuclear medicine
Astatine 211 is considered a promising alpha emitting radioisotope for precision nuclear medicine1. With its favorable half life, this alpha emitter can deliver highly concentrated radiation over a very short distance, potentially destroying cancer cells, while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissue2. However, turning these clinical promises into concrete patient care faces the challenge of establishing a reliable, large scale production infrastructure capable of serving as many patients as possible.
Ekalia intends to address this challenge by progressively deploying an international network of industrial Astatine 211 production sites. The first production site is planned in Nantes, France, and is expected to become operational in 2028. Ekalia's strategy also includes plans for a second pilot site in the United States, followed by the deployment of additional production sites in Europe and the USA to support customers using Astatine 211.
Combining innovation with industrial excellence
Framatome and IBA already have high-impact achievements in the theranostics3 field. Through its subsidiary ISOGEN, in partnership with Kinetrics, Framatome's technology enabled the first large scale commercial production of the radioisotope Lutetium 177 in a high power reactor in Canada in June 2022, providing reliable, large scale access to this essential medical isotope for targeted prostate cancer therapy.
IBA, for its part, recently launched the Cyclone® iKure cyclotron dedicated to Astatine 211 production. Through its company PanTera, IBA has also established itself as a leading player in advancing the production of Actinium 225, another key isotope for targeted alpha therapy.
Through this alliance, Framatome and IBA are setting new benchmarks in the field of theranostics, reinforcing their commitment to driving innovation and improving global access to life-saving treatments.
A partnership serving new cancer therapies
“This joint venture reflects our determination to actively help remove the barriers limiting patient access to innovations in nuclear medicine,” said Catherine Vandenborre, Chief Corporate and Ventures Officer of IBA. “By combining our technological leadership with Framatome's industrial expertise, we are creating the conditions required to make Astatine 211 available at scale and support the rise of new cancer therapies.”
François Gauché, Vice President of Framatome Healthcare, added: “Future targeted therapies require reliable, scalable, and resilient supply chains. By joining forces with IBA, we are beginning the development of an international network for industrial Astatine 211 production capable of sustainably supporting the growth of this market and the development of innovative treatments for the benefit of patients.
- 1. Lindegren et al. EJNMMI Radioph. and Chem. (2026) 11, 15 doi:10.1186/s41181-026-00428-0.
- 2. Albertsson P et al; Frontiers in Med (2023),9, 1076210: doi:10.3389/fmed.2022.1076210.
- 3. Theranostics refer to the combination of a radioactive imaging isotope to locate a lesion and a therapeutic isotope to destroy the identified target.