Is there a real need for a second source for Lu177 supply?

Radiopharmaceuticals are essential medicinal formulations comprised of radioactive isotopes useful in medical diagnosis and treatment.

In countries utilizing nuclear radiotherapy, the supply of radiopharmaceuticals is either from a governmental source or commercial companies involved in their production. According to international standards, these suppliers must ensure a safe and timely supply of the radioisotopes. It is inevitable, due to maintenance issues or any other reason, that some interruption of supply is expected.

The supply-demand relation is critical in the case of the radioisotopes, because the products may have a very short life span. This needs to be considered when planning radiopharmaceutical production and distribution on a global scale.

Considering the case of Lutetium, which is used for specific radiation-based therapies to treat cancerous cells, the importance of secondary suppliers can be understood.

Lutetium has a half-life of barely a week (6.7 days). This implies that a consistent and sufficient supply must be maintained while ensuring limited traveling and shipment time.

Any isotope used for diagnostic uses has a typical decaying period or half-life of minutes or hours. Therapeutic isotopes, such as lutetium (Lu-177), usually have longer decaying periods or half-life, e.g., a few days or even weeks. In addition, the factor of providing a well-timed medical procedure to all patients in need across the globe adds to the importance of a sufficient and uninterrupted supply of all relevant isotopes.

Therefore, a secondary supplier is a backbone in the provision of essential radioisotopes. It refers to the source available for the cases where the primary supplier cannot provide the products due to any possible reason.

Local or regional production is essential for the isotopes with a short half-life because they cannot be transported over long distances. Although in the case of isotopes like Lutetium, long-distance transport is an option, it is still a matter of concern when considering worldwide distribution. This shows the significance of the secondary supplier. When there are limited suppliers, a backup to the primary supplier is essential to meet the customer demand consistently, because these isotopes will last a week or so, at most.

Considering the increasing demand for Lutetium in cancer-related therapeutic field, Isotopia Molecular Imaging LTD (ISOTOPIA), provides a reliable backup as a secondary supplier to ensure consistent and sufficient supply to the end customer. This, next to its primary supply strategy. 

ISOTOPIA specializes in producing Lu-177 n.c.a and Lu-177 c.a that are used worldwide for the purpose of molecular radiotherapy. ISOTOPIA offers tailor-made Lu-products that can be delivered within a week globally. These days, ISOTOPIA which is located in Israel is starting to produce Lutetium in Canada, In this regard, Isotopia can act as a primary, or secondary supplier –for many customers.

In summary, ISOTOPIA is ready to supply Lu-177 from Israel and soon from Canada as well.

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Haim Golan MD MSc

Chief Medical Officer

Isotopia Molecular Imaging LTD