Cyclone® iKure

Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, and Paris, France, February 7, 2025 – Framatome, an international leader in nuclear energy committed to developing products and services for the healthcare industry, and IBA (Ion Beam Applications S.A., EURONEXT), the world leader in particle accelerator technology and the leading provider of radiopharmaceutical production solutions, today announced they have signed a Memorandum Of Understanding to start a strategic partnership aimed at advancing industrial-scale production of Astatine-211 (²¹¹At), an alpha-emitting radioisotope across Europe and the United States.
 

²¹¹At is a highly promising radioisotope currently being investigated for its potential in targeted alpha-therapies in oncology. The collaboration between Framatome and IBA aims to build a reliable and sustainable network of cutting-edge specialized alpha beams cyclotrons, ensuring the timely and consistent production of this alpha-emitting radioisotope, whilst further establishing radio-theranostics as a cornerstone of precision oncology.
 

The first milestone in this collaboration will be the establishment of a dedicated production pilot facility, set to be installed by 2027-2028. Framatome will make a financial investment in the partnership, with IBA contributing equipment. The facility will be located in the Pays de la Loire region in France, leveraging the region’s strong nuclear medicine research ecosystem and industrial expertise.
 

The pilot facility will inform the development of a global network of latest generation alpha beams cyclotrons across Europe and the United States. This scalable network aims to meet the growing demand for ²¹¹At and secure its timely availability for advanced cancer treatments.
 

François Gauché, Vice President of Framatome Healthcare, commented: : “This partnership with IBA is a significant step toward transforming cancer care through targeted alpha therapy. The secure, scalable, and timely supply of Astatine-211 is vital for addressing unmet medical needs, and we are committed to building a robust production network to serve the growing demand. Together, we will provide cancer researchers and patients with access to cutting-edge therapeutic solutions while creating a sustainable foundation for future growth.”
 

Charles Kumps, President of IBA RadioPharma Solutions, added: : “Today’s announcement is the start of what we believe will be a strong partnership with a shared goal: building a global, reliable industrial network for the timely production and commercialization of Astatine-211 compounds. By leveraging our combined expertise in cyclotron technology and in nuclear medicine, we are creating the critical infrastructure necessary to unlock the full potential of these groundbreaking therapies.”
 

Both companies bring extensive expertise to this partnership, with a track record of pioneering advancements in theranostics. Framatome’s proprietary isotope production technology enabled the first large-scale commercial production of the radioisotope Lutetium-177 in a power reactor in June 2022, ensuring reliable and large-scale access to this vital medical radioisotope for cancer therapy. IBA, through its joint venture PanTera, has been a leader in advancing Actinium-225 production, another key isotope in targeted alpha therapy. Together, 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.

Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, 01 June 2026 – IBA (Ion Beam Applications S.A., EURONEXT), the world leader in particle accelerator technology and the leading provider of radiopharmaceutical production solutions, today launches Cyclone^® iKure, a dedicated cyclotron for routine Astatine-211 (At-211) production. Designed for alpha-beam irradiation, this new cyclotron enables radiopharmaceutical manufacturers, research institutions and healthcare providers to accelerate access to targeted alpha therapies with the reliability and quality required for clinical-scale programs.
 

Targeted alpha therapy is emerging as an important area of development in precision oncology. Alpha-emitting isotopes deliver highly concentrated radiation over a very short distance, destroying cancer cells with remarkable precision with limited exposure to surrounding healthy tissue¹. Among alpha emitters, At-211 is attracting attention for its chemical properties and half-life². Yet translating clinical promises into routine patient care has been held back by a fundamental challenge: establishing reliable production infrastructure at scale. With Cyclone^® iKure, IBA aims to address this production challenge.
 

Cyclone^® iKure has been designed specifically for At-211-isotope workflows. It has been engineered to deliver consistent, high-yield At-211 output at production scale. Automated processes simplify daily operations and minimize operator radiation exposure, while a compact footprint allows the system to fit within limited infrastructure, reducing site preparation complexity and cost. The system is designed to meet applicable CE marking requirements, and regulatory compliance.
 

Cyclone^® iKure draws on IBA’s four decades of cyclotron engineering expertise, the same foundation behind the Cyclone^® KIUBE, Cyclone^® IKON and Cyclone^® KEY platforms that serve radiopharmaceutical producers and hospitals worldwide. With this launch, IBA extends its cyclotron portfolio from diagnostic PET & SPECT imaging to therapeutic alpha-isotope production.
 

“Targeted alpha therapy has significant clinical potential, but realizing it at scale depends on reliable and scalable production infrastructure,” said Charles Kumps, President of IBA RadioPharma Solutions. “With Cyclone^® iKure, we are bringing to the alpha-therapy space the precision and dependability that IBA is known for. Designed for routine At-211 production, it is built to help radiopharma innovators and clinicians move from early-stage programs to routine clinical application — and to make targeted alpha therapies accessible to the patients who need them.” 
 

The launch of Cyclone^® iKure reinforces IBA’s commitment to accelerating the bench-to-bedside transition of At-211-labeled drugs. IBA’s strategy rests on three pillars: a purpose-built product, with Cyclone^® iKure enabling routine, industrial-scale At-211 production; ecosystem leadership, through its role as industry co-leader in the ACCELERATE.EU initiative to build the complete European At-211 value chain; and production capacity, through its strategic partnership with Framatome to explore a transatlantic At-211 production network.

¹ Albertsson P et al; Frontiers in Med (2023),9, 1076210: doi:10.3389/fmed.2022.1076210.
² Lindegren et al. EJNMMI Radioph. and Chem. (2026) 11, 15 doi:10.1186/s41181-026-00428-0
 

Hugo Levillain, Anne Royer Moës, Cristiana Gameiro-Paris, Antero Abrunhosa, Tom Deakin, Geraldine Gebhart, Matthias M. Herth, Jean-François Gestin, Ferid Haddad, Andreas Ingemann Jensen, Rebecca Lo Bue, Renata Mikolajczak, Adrian Otamendi, Katie Staunton-Mann, Kevin Tabury & Patrick Flamen on behalf of the Accelerate.EU consortium

Targeted Alpha Therapy (TAT) holds considerable promise for precision oncology, yet its clinical deployment in Europe remains limited. Beyond scientific considerations, progress is constrained by fragmentation across the radiopharmaceutical value chain, encompassing radionuclide production, radiochemistry, preclinical validation, clinical development, regulatory frameworks, infrastructure, and workforce training.