ASP Isotopes Inc. and Isotopia Molecular Imaging Ltd. have announced a strategic supply agreement that addresses a critical bottleneck in the production of Terbium-161, an emerging medical isotope with significant potential in targeted cancer radiotherapies. The four-year agreement, commencing in 2026, will provide Isotopia with enriched Gadolinium-160, a stable isotope essential for manufacturing Tb-161, with an expected minimum contract value of $1 million per annum.
Addressing Supply Chain Challenges
The partnership tackles longstanding supply challenges for Gd-160, enabling Isotopia to advance Tb-161-based therapies for prostate cancer, neuroendocrine tumors, and other malignancies. Under the agreement, ASP Isotopes will leverage its proprietary Quantum Enrichment technology to provide the enriched isotope, building on its previous success in large-scale isotope enrichment demonstrated through Ytterbium-176 production.
Paul Mann, CEO of ASP Isotopes, emphasized the agreement's significance: "By supplying Gd-160, we are eliminating a major bottleneck in the development of Tb-161 therapies. Our investment in enrichment technology positions us to support the radiopharmaceutical industry's growing demand for stable isotopes. This partnership accelerates the path to clinical adoption of Tb-161, which could redefine cancer treatment paradigms."
Therapeutic Advantages of Terbium-161
The collaboration capitalizes on Tb-161's unique therapeutic properties, which offer potential advantages over existing radiopharmaceuticals. Dr. Eli Shalom, CEO of Isotopia, highlighted these benefits: "Tb-161's dual mechanism of action, including Auger electron emissions, enables precise targeting of micro-metastases while minimizing damage to healthy tissues."
Tb-161's Auger electrons induce double-strand DNA breaks in cancer cells, offering potential advantages over Lu-177 and alpha-emitting isotopes. This precision aligns with the oncology field's shift toward targeted radiotherapeutics, which improve efficacy and reduce side effects.
Production Capabilities and Expansion
Isotopia brings proven commercial-scale medical isotope production capabilities to the partnership, having consistently manufactured Lutetium-177 and maintained weekly Tb-161 production for clinical trials over the past two years. The company operates production facilities in Israel and is expanding with a second site in Indianapolis, positioning it to scale production as Tb-161-labeled drug candidates advance toward commercialization.
Market Context and Future Outlook
The agreement comes as global interest in radiopharmaceuticals surges, driven by their ability to deliver localized radiation therapy via tumor-seeking molecules. This partnership ensures a reliable Gd-160 supply chain, allowing Isotopia to scale production and advance its drug development pipeline.
The collaboration positions both companies at the forefront of the radiopharmaceutical revolution, with the potential to expand treatment options for cancer patients worldwide. ASP Isotopes specializes in advanced isotope separation technologies, including its proprietary Aerodynamic Separation Process and Quantum Enrichment, which produce stable isotopes without radioactive waste.
