Astatine-211 production in the United States is the focus of a collaboration announced on October 19, 2026, between Ekalia, the joint venture being formed by IBA and Framatome, and Telix Pharmaceuticals. The partners intend to establish Ekalia’s first US production unit at RLS Trevose in Pennsylvania, while securing Telix access to part of its output for its alpha therapy pipeline.
Key Takeaways
- Ekalia plans to use Telix’s RLS radiopharmacy network and operational capabilities to establish its first US production unit.
- The intended Pennsylvania installation could be followed by additional sites across the RLS network as demand develops.
- Telix will receive secured access to a portion of production capacity; no commissioning date or output volume was announced.
Table of Contents
- Astatine-211 production targets Pennsylvania
- Supply access supports Telix’s therapy pipeline
- Ekalia combines technology and industrial capabilities
- Conclusion
Astatine-211 production targets Pennsylvania
Ekalia’s US production agreement provides a route to use Telix’s existing radiopharmaceutical infrastructure rather than develop the first American site independently. The intended location is RLS Trevose, with further installations across the network possible as demand grows.
The agreement has been signed, but the installation remains planned. The announcement did not specify a commissioning date, production volume or financial terms. It follows Ekalia’s planned first site in France and extends the venture’s intended footprint into the United States.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Ekalia | Company in formation, jointly owned by IBA and Framatome. |
| IBA | Contributes cyclotron and isotope-production technologies. |
| Framatome | Contributes nuclear industrial expertise. |
| Telix Pharmaceuticals | Provides access to RLS infrastructure and operational capabilities, with secured access to part of production capacity. |
Supply access supports Telix’s therapy pipeline
Astatine-211 is an alpha-emitting radioisotope being developed for targeted cancer therapies. The partners identified insufficient production capacity as a constraint on its broader adoption, making reliable supply a central objective of the collaboration.
Telix will benefit from secured access to a portion of the production capacity. Chad Watkins, Telix’s general manager for isotope strategy, said the arrangement would provide a dedicated, long-term source of astatine-211 to advance the company’s alpha therapy pipeline.
The immediate corporate development is therefore a production and supply agreement, not the launch of a new cancer treatment. Its intended contribution is to support the development of therapies that depend on access to the isotope.
Ekalia combines technology and industrial capabilities
Ekalia remains a company in formation, jointly owned by IBA and Framatome. It combines IBA’s cyclotron and isotope-production technologies with Framatome’s nuclear industrial expertise, with plans for production sites across Europe and North America.
Bruno Scutnaire, Ekalia’s chief executive, said using Telix’s existing US capabilities would help the venture move toward its first American production unit. The collaboration adds an operating network to the partners’ technology and industrial capabilities, although the pace of any wider rollout remains dependent on demand.
Conclusion
The next milestone to watch is commissioning of the intended Pennsylvania unit. The agreement establishes the collaboration and Telix’s supply access, but the partners have not announced when production will begin.
Read More News
Disclaimer
This FinanceVelix article provides general information, not personalized financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. Market prices, interest rates and economic conditions can change; investments carry a risk of loss. Facts reflect the material available when published and may change. Check important information independently and consult a qualified professional when needed. Mentioning an asset, company, or service is not an endorsement.
