World Cancer Day : IRE ELiT wants to encourage the research and development of radiopharmaceuticals applications for cancer imaging

IRE ELiT, one of the two worlds producers of Gallium-68 (Ga-68) radiopharmaceutical generators, is expanding its range with a Ga-68 generator specifically designed for preclinical research of new radiopharmaceuticals. At the preclinical stage, Ga-68 generators are mainly used in oncology for PET (positron emission tomography) diagnostic imaging to determine the number and aggressiveness of tumors and metastases.

Today, radiopharmaceuticals combining a Ga-68-labelled carrier molecule are already approved and many others are in the final stages of development. Access to Ga-68 generators has fundamentally changed the management of patients suffering from neuroendocrine cancers, which are particularly difficult to detect at an early stage. The results of ongoing clinical studies give the same hope for patients with recurrent prostate cancer, thanks to more precise diagnoses.

To encourage the research and development of other radiopharmaceuticals, IRE ELiT now offers to all research players, such as hospitals, university laboratories, research centers and healthcare manufacturers, a research generator dedicated to preclinical activities, i.e. the early stages of development before human clinical trials. This generator has the same level of quality and reliability as the generator authorized for clinical activities. However, in order to meet the needs of research teams, it will offer activities lower than those required for routine examinations at more accessible prices.

IRE ELiT's line of generators is therefore expanding, since Galli RD is being added to the radiopharmaceutical generators approved in Europe and in the US, as well as the Galli Demo, a demonstration model with no activity for team training. Galli RD is rapidly available to users - within a maximum of 8 weeks - thanks to an increase in IRE ELiT's production capacity to meet the needs of the market.

IRE ELiT's Strategic Director, Jean Bonnet, said "We want to make our contribution throughout the life cycle of radiopharmaceutical products, from their discovery to clinical application, by facilitating access to Ga-68 for research teams, which testify IRE ELiT's commitment to researchers and clinicians".

Bérénice Pignol

IRE - IRE ELiT

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About IRE and IRE ELiT

Founded in 1971 and based in Fleurus, in the province of Hainaut, the National Institute of Radioelements (IRE), a Belgian foundation of public interest, is one of the very few players worldwide capable of producing and developing certain radioisotopes used in nuclear medicine.

IRE is notably the global leader in the production of Molybdenum‑99, the “parent” isotope of metastable Technetium-99m. Using a gamma camera, this isotope makes it possible to observe a patient’s internal anatomy in real time (heart, bones, lungs, thyroid, brain, kidneys, etc.) and to diagnose certain diseases at an early stage. IRE supplies around 50% of European demand for Mo-99 and 25% of global production, a share that can rise to up to 65% during periods of global supply tension.

At the same time, IRE ELiT, a subsidiary founded in 2010, is one of the two global leaders in pharmaceutical‑grade Ge-68/Ga-68 generators for human use. Gallium-68 (Ga-68) is a key isotope for high‑precision PET imaging - particularly for neuroendocrine tumours and prostate cancer - and for personalised medicine in radioligand therapy (RLT) strategies. IRE-ELiT’s Ga-68 generators are currently marketed in around 40 countries.

Beyond its production activities aimed at improving patient care and quality of life, IRE also contributes - through its IRE Lab division - to environmental protection and monitoring. The Institute offers services for radioactivity measurement in various samples, radiological characterisation of waste and contaminated materials, as well as consultancy and technical support in the radiological and nuclear fields.

Today, IRE and IRE ELiT employ 300 people, all committed to translating cutting‑edge scientific advances into diagnostic and therapeutic solutions for patients.

More information: www.ire.eu

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www.ire.eu