Major investment in radiopharmaceuticals at IFE

- We are very pleased with the decision. The company Algeta contributes to strengthening Norwegian industry and commerce, and 40 new jobs will be created here at Kjeller, states a pleased Executive Vice President at IFE, Eva Dugstad. IFE has collaborated with Algeta since 2001.

Thomas Ramdahl, Chief Technology Officer, Algeta and Brit Farstad, Department Head of Isotope Laboratories, IFE, in front of today’s production line for radiopharmaceuticals. The new investment will entail an extensive upgrade of the facilities.

A new generation cancer treatment
Alpharadin, a therapeutic medicine based on the alpha-radio nuclide Ra-223, is being tested in an extensive international study for treating patients with cancer spreading to the bone (bone metastasis). Bone metastasis has a high occurrence in several major cancer forms, and the treatment has so far been tested on patients with prostate cancer and breast cancer.

Alpharadin represents a new generation radiopharmaceuticals – alpha-emitting medicine – based on radio-nuclides emitting alpha beams that very effectively break down cancer cells in immediate proximity to the target area.  The product’s main goal is to treat the spreading of cancer to the bone. Additionally, the treatment has a pain-relieving effect, contributing to improving quality of life for patients with this type of medical condition. There is a large demand for this type of treatment.

The Isotope Laboratories at IFE are today responsible for pharmaceutical production and distribution of Alpharadin for the clinical study conducted by Algeta at more than 100 centres globally. Algeta’s decision to continue and broaden the collaboration with IFE is based on the work the Isotope Laboratories at IFE have contributed with in this study over several years. Algeta also affirms that they wish to establish this type of enterprise in Norway.

- The expertise, the facilities and the good collaboration are reasons why we chose IFE as partner. They have experienced personnel, the necessary infrastructure and laboratory facilities, states Kari Grønås Dyvik, VP Operations in Algeta.

40 new jobs
Today’s production of Alpharadin at IFE is adapted to the scale of the clinical study, with about 100 doses produced and distributed monthly. A commercial production will require a multiplication of the production, and the production capacity at IFE’s Isotope Laboratories must be increased accordingly. Algeta’s decision will entail a considerable investment in the production facilities at IFE’s production plant, both in the buildings and in the installation of new production lines for this type of therapeutic medicine. An estimated 8 million Euros (75 mill NOK) over 2-3 years will be invested into the new production plant, scheduled to be ready in 2012/2013. The increase in capacity also implies a need for increased workforce. Probably about 40 new positions will be needed at IFE to meet the production demand.

The production and handling of radiopharmaceuticals pose stringent demands on safety. IFE’s Isotope Laboratories have a long experience and expertise in this area.

Algeta’s new investment in Norway is of great significance to the Norwegian radiopharmaceutical community, and not at least to the specialist environment in radiopharmacy at Kjeller. IFE, which must be regarded as the cradle of radiopharmacy in Norway, has had continuous activity in the area since 1952, and has been an important actor, both nationally and internationally. Algeta’s new enterprise may generate new research and development of radiopharmaceuticals in Norway.

Facts about Algeta ASA

• Established in 1997.
• Company developing alpha-emitting pharmaceuticals for treatment of cancer.
• Localised at Kjelsås in Oslo, Norway.
• In September 2009 Algeta signed a contract with the pharmaceutical company Bayer. The contract secures Algeta’s efforts in developing the new product Alpharadin towards market.