BELOIT, Wis. & LOUVAIN-LA-NEUVE, Belgium– NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes, LLC (‘NorthStar’), a global innovator in the development, production and commercialization of radiopharmaceuticals used for therapeutic applications and medical imaging, and IBA (Ion Beam Applications S.A., EURONEXT), the world leader in particle accelerator technology, today announced a new agreement under which NorthStar will purchase two additional Rhodotron® TT300 HE electron beam accelerators, and the associated beamlines, from IBA for the production of molybdenum-99 (Mo-99).
The purchase marks a total of five Rhodotron® accelerators that NorthStar has purchased from IBA to date. NorthStar previously purchased two electron beam accelerators from IBA in 2019 for the production of Mo-99, and purchased a third accelerator in 2021 for production of the therapeutic radioisotope actinium-225 (Ac-225). The additional accelerators will be used to further expand NorthStar’s commercial-scale radioisotope production capabilities at its Beloit, Wisconsin headquarters. All NorthStar production processes employ innovative, environmentally preferable technology and are non-uranium based.
NorthStar’s first Accelerator Production facility expansion in Beloit is nearing completion and moving to the final phase of activities required for licensure and FDA approval. Both accelerators are operating at full power and undergoing final testing. Equipment in the adjacent Isotope Processing facility has been installed and is undergoing final testing. Construction of NorthStar’s dedicated Actinium-225 Production facility is also well underway, with shipment of the third IBA Rhodotron® accelerator expected by the end of 2022.
“NorthStar continues to invest in the future of nuclear medicine using innovative technology to advance environmentally sustainable radioisotope production, and the purchase of these additional accelerators marks another milestone of our highly productive relationship with IBA,” said Stephen Merrick, Chief Executive Officer of NorthStar. “IBA has demonstrated extensive commercial expertise and excellent performance in delivering electron beam accelerators for our Mo-99 production expansion program, and in the design and custom-build of our Ac-225 accelerator. We are proud that IBA is a partner in helping to make these important diagnostic imaging and therapeutic radioisotope products available to advance patient health, and look forward to continuing to work with them.”
Olivier Legrain, Chief Executive Officer of IBA commented, “We are delighted to sign this latest agreement with NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes and to continue to deliver innovative solutions for reliable radioisotope supply. IBA’s Rhodotron® accelerators provide the most advanced electron accelerator technology in the world, enabling a non-uranium based and highly efficient method for producing medical radioisotopes such as Mo-99, Ac-225 and Cu-67. We look forward to continuing to work with NorthStar to advance research and help patients.”
