IBA and Framatome Create Ekalia to Produce Astatine-211, First Site in Nantes by 2028
The Belgian group and French nuclear energy specialist announced on October 16, 2026 the creation of a joint venture tasked with building a network of production sites for this radioisotope in Europe and North America. The operation targets the main obstacle identified by the two partners in the development of targeted alpha therapies: the absence of reliable production infrastructure deployed on a large scale.
Ekalia, Joint Venture for Astatine-211 Production
The new company, named Ekalia, is jointly owned by IBA (Ion Beam Applications) and Framatome. Its purpose is to deploy an international network for industrial production of Astatine-211, as close as possible to the customers using this isotope.
Each partner brings distinct expertise. IBA provides its cyclotron and isotope production technologies, Framatome its industrial experience in the nuclear sector, through its Framatome Healthcare brand. Framatome is held by EDF Group (80.5%) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (19.5%).
Astatine-211 is an alpha-emitting isotope. According to the press release, it delivers radiation concentrated over a very short distance, which makes it possible to potentially destroy cancer cells while limiting exposure of surrounding healthy tissues.
First Site in Nantes in 2028, Then a Pilot in the United States
Ekalia's deployment will take place in stages. The first production site is planned in France, in Nantes, with commissioning scheduled for 2028.
The joint venture's strategy then envisages a second pilot site in the United States. It would be followed by a phase of deployment of additional production sites in Europe and the United States, to support customers using Astatine-211.
Previous Experience in Medical Isotopes
The two groups rely on projects already underway in theranostics. IBA recently launched the Cyclone iKure cyclotron, dedicated to Astatine-211 production, and participates, through PanTera, in the development of Actinium-225 production, another isotope used in targeted alpha therapy.
For its part, Framatome's technology enabled, via its subsidiary Isogen in partnership with Kinetrics, the first large-scale commercial production of Lutetium-177 in a power reactor in Canada, in June 2022. This isotope is used in targeted therapy for prostate cancer.
"This joint venture illustrates our determination to actively help remove obstacles that hinder patient access to innovations in nuclear medicine," declared Catherine Vandenborre, Chief Corporate and Ventures Officer of IBA. François Gauché, Vice President of Framatome Healthcare, for his part indicated that future targeted therapies "require reliable, scalable and resilient supply chains".
