Bayer is collaborating with the U.S. Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, based in Oak Ridge, TN, to produce actinium-227 (227Ac), the key radioisotope used in the production of the company's prostate cancer treatment Xofigo (radium Ra 223 dichloride). The agreement is part of a long term contract between Bayer and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Isotope Program.
Actinium-227 is necessary to produce radium-223, which is the active ingredient in Xofigo, a drug used to treat patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer, symptomatic bone metasteses and no known visceral metastatic disease. As Xofigo becomes available in more countries around the world, additional sources of actinium-227 will be needed to ensure adequate supply. In addition, actinium-227 plays an equally important role in the production of Bayer's investigational Targeted Thorium Conjugate (TTC) Clinical platform.
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"We are excited about this partnership with Bayer to ensure prostate cancer patients have a reliable supply of this drug," said Jehanne Gillo, Director of the Facilities and Project Management Division for the DOE Office of Science for Nuclear Physics. "This is a great example of the public and private sectors working together to address a vital need that affects thousands of lives each year."
The DOE Isotope Program, which produces high priority isotopes for the nation, is part of the Department's Office of Science, the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States. Oak Ridge National Laboratory is DOE's largest science and energy laboratory and has decades of experience in isotope research and production.
"This collaboration underscores Bayer's commitment to prostate cancer patients by helping to ensure the adequate supply of Xofigo for all appropriate patients battling the disease in the U.S. and globally," said Carsten Brunn, president of Bayer Pharmaceuticals, Americas Region. "We are honored to be working with the Department of Energy and Oak Ridge National Laboratory's radioisotope production experts and their unique facilities to ensure a sustainable supply of this important drug into the foreseeable future."
CRPC is an advanced form of prostate cancer. Approximately nine in 10 patients with CRPC (90 percent) develop bone metastases, impacting survival. In fact, bone metastases lead to an increased risk of death in patients with CRPC. Therefore, diagnosing and treating bone metastases at the earliest onset is critical for patients.
Xofigo is indicated for the treatment of patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer, symptomatic bone metastases and no known visceral metastatic disease.