Fusion Pharmaceuticals and TRIUMF announce expanded R&D collaboration
by CM Staff
Fusion and TRIUMF to collaborate to produce actinium based on technology developed by TRIUMF.
HAMILTON and BOSTON and VANCOUVER — On Aug. 12, Fusion Pharmaceuticals Inc., a clinical-stage oncology company focused on developing next-generation radiopharmaceuticals as precision medicines, and TRIUMF, Canada’s particle accelerator centre, announced that the companies have entered into the next phase of their collaboration agreement for the development, production, and supply of actinium-225. Fusion will provide to TRIUMF funding to further develop technology to produce actinium-225 and in return Fusion will have rights, including preferred access and pricing, to the resulting alpha-emitting medical isotope.
“As we advance our growing pipeline of actinium-based targeted alpha therapies (TATs), we are focused on expanding our manufacturing capabilities and continuing to proactively address and prioritize actinium supply. This supports our strategic plans to develop differentiated radiopharmaceuticals to treat a broad range of cancers with high unmet medical need,” said Fusion Chief Executive Officer John Valliant, Ph.D. “We are excited to expand our collaborative relationship with TRIUMF, a leader in isotope production, marking an important step to further expand actinium-225 production and supply.”
“Through its TAT platform technology, Fusion has the opportunity to unlock the full potential of actinium, an alpha-emitting isotope with the ability to deliver a potent, highly localized payload to cancer cells,” said TRIUMF Innovations CEO, Kathryn Hayashi. “With this next phase, we are solidifying our partnership with a premier developer of innovative actinium radiopharmaceuticals to deepen TRIUMF’s leadership position in isotope production and impact the cancer treatment landscape.”
TRIUMF Director and CEO, Nigel Smith, Ph.D. added, “This marks an important milestone in the existing collaboration between Fusion and TRIUMF. Our partnership is generating new ideas and innovations that validate the important role TRIUMF has at the forefront of the global medical isotope ecosystem. Together TRIUMF and Fusion are laying the groundwork for major breakthroughs that will benefit the lives of countless patients around the world.”
In December 2020, Fusion and TRIUMF entered a collaboration and supply agreement to develop, produce and procure the supply of actinium-225 to Fusion. As part of this agreement, Fusion will continue its investment of up to $25 million (CAD) in TRIUMF to advance technology and processes for actinium-225 production.
