Designing a medical radioisotope production facility for cancer treatment

Pantera SA/NV, a joint venture between IBA, the world leader in particle accelerator technology, and the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK CEN, aims to secure the large-scale production of actinium-225 (²²⁵Ac), one of the most promising alpha-emitting radioisotopes to improve the accessibility of innovative cancer therapies. ²²⁵Ac-based radiopharmaceuticals have the potential to treat cancers more effectively by eliminating cancer cells, rather than just inhibiting tumour growth. Extensive research is currently underway on treating the most prevalent cancers and rarer and often deadly forms of the disease.

First-of-a-kind PanTera facility construction in Mol, Belgium

The PanTera facility will be built in Mol, Belgium and is dedicated to the production of 225Ac via photonuclear activation on radium-226 (226Ra), powered by the high-energy IBA Rhodotron®. The building integrates several bunkers to host the IBA Rhodotron® accelerator and irradiation stations, as well as various clean rooms for the separation, purification and dispensing of the radioisotope under Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) conditions. PanTera, Tractebel and MODULO are now completing the last engineering phases before launching the construction in 2025.

Picture: IBA Rhodotron® TT300-HE (High Energy) electron accelerator

Multidisciplinary collaboration to advance nuclear medicine

Tractebel’s engineers are designing jointly with MODULO architects the new facility and providing engineering services in the fields of structural engineering, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), electricity, fire protection, instrumentation & control (I&C), mechanical, and more. Tractebel and MODULO will also support PanTera during the facility’s construction. During all these phases, Tractebel will leverage its radioprotection and nuclear expertise to integrate specific production equipment such as the particle accelerator, the target stations and the hot cells. 

	"We are honoured to be part of this project, which not only reflects our innovative spirit but also holds the promise of enhancing the quality of life for cancer patients. It shows Belgium's unique expertise in the field of nuclear medicine. Thanks to our infrastructure, nuclear and radioprotection competences, we are committed to remaining at the forefront of innovation in the medical sector to save lives thanks to nuclear."
Denis Dumont, Chief Global Nuclear Officer, Tractebel
	“Our collaboration with Tractebel and MODULO brings unmatched expertise as we can leverage their unique multi-disciplinary teams. We have now secured partnerships with leading engineering companies to support all our process and infrastructure development. As a result, we are poised to ensure the extensive availability of Ac-225, enabling promising therapies to be made available to cancer patients."
Sven Van den Berghe, Chief Executive Officer, PanTera

Picture: 3D view of the future PanTera building in Mol, Belgium (©MODULO architects)

Discover our healthcare services HERE.