IBA Launches Cyclone iKure, a Cyclotron for Industrial Production of Astatine-211
IBA (Ion Beam Applications) announced on Monday the launch of Cyclone iKure, a cyclotron dedicated to the clinical-scale production of Astatine-211. This equipment aims to overcome production barriers hindering the development of targeted alpha emitter therapies, an emerging segment in precision oncology.
A Cyclotron Specifically Designed for Astatine-211
Cyclone iKure has been developed to enable radiopharmaceutical manufacturers, research institutes, and healthcare providers to consistently produce Astatine-211 with the reliability and quality required for clinical programs. The system offers a high and constant yield of the isotope, thanks to automated processes that reduce operational complexity and operator exposure to radiation.
The cyclotron represents an evolution in the company's technology: it expands the existing portfolio, which has so far focused on diagnostic imaging through PET and SPECT, to include the therapeutic production of alpha isotopes.
Three Strategic Pillars for Alpha Therapy
IBA's strategy to accelerate the transition from laboratories to clinics is based on three pillars: a tailor-made product (the Cyclone iKure for the industrial production of Astatine-211), leadership in the ecosystem (through its co-leadership role in the ACCELERATE.EU initiative aimed at building the European value chain), and productive capacity (via a strategic partnership with Framatome to explore a transatlantic production network).
