Orano Med has inaugurated ATLab Valenciennes, Europe’s first industrial facility for lead-212 targeted alpha therapies. The new site focuses on producing lead-212-based radioligand therapies at industrial scale. Orano Med operates as a subsidiary of the Orano group and specializes in targeted alpha therapies for oncology.
The inauguration took place in Onnaing, France. Several senior executives, partners, stakeholders, and official representatives attended the ceremony. The attendees included Claude Imauven, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Orano. Nicolas Maes, CEO of Orano, also attended the event. Frederic Desdouits, CEO of Orano Med, represented the company.
“In the future, the ATLab will enable us to offer European patients new therapeutic options for cancer types with high unmet medical needs.” Frederic Desdouits, Chief Executive Officer of Orano Med
Large-Scale Production for European Patients
ATLab Valenciennes will produce a new generation of cancer treatments. These treatments include lead-212 targeted alpha therapies developed by Orano Med. The company plans to manufacture these therapies at a large scale. This capacity will help address patient needs across Europe.
In the medium term, ATLab Valenciennes can produce up to 10,000 doses annually. Furthermore, production could increase fivefold when the facility reaches full capacity. The facility covers more than 3,000 square meters. Orano Med invested €29 million in developing the site. The project will also create approximately 25 direct jobs.
Moreover, the project received support through the France 2030 plan. It followed the “Industrialization and health capacities 2030” call for projects. The initiative also received almost €3.8 million in public support. Therefore, the facility represents an important investment in European healthcare manufacturing.
Nicolas Maes, Chief Executive Officer of Orano, commented: “The inauguration of ATLab Valenciennes marks a major industrial milestone for Orano Med and confirms the Orano group’s ability to innovate and deploy breakthrough technologies to advance healthcare. This site embodies our commitment to putting our industrial know-how and our expertise in handling nuclear materials at the service of cancer patients, in France and across Europe.”
Addressing Lead-212 Logistics
Frederic Desdouits, Chief Executive Officer of Orano Med, added: “With the inauguration of ATLab Valenciennes, we have taken a decisive step in deploying our industrial platform in Europe. The site provides large-scale production capacity designed to meet the logistical constraints resulting from the half-life of lead-212. In the future, the ATLab will enable us to offer European patients new therapeutic options for cancer types with high unmet medical needs.”
Lead-212 has a half-life of only 10.6 hours. Consequently, its use creates demanding production and delivery requirements. Orano Med must produce, ship, and administer these therapies within 24 hours. Therefore, facility location plays an important role in treatment delivery.
ATLab Valenciennes benefits from a strategic European location. The facility sits about two hours from Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Brussels-Zaventem airports. This location supports rapid delivery to hospitals across Europe. It can also reach nearly 70% of the European population within the required timeframe. Meanwhile, Orano Med is commissioning another production facility in Indianapolis. That site will support the company’s operations in the North American market.
Integrated Platform Supports Targeted Cancer Therapies
The two ATLabs form an important part of Orano Med’s integrated industrial platform. This platform combines production capabilities with access to critical resources. Orano Med also uses a patented chemical process for lead-212 production. In addition, the company has secured access to necessary raw materials. As a result, the company aims to address major manufacturing challenges. These challenges include isotope availability and scalable production.
The approach also supports the wider development of lead-212 targeted alpha therapies. Orano Med continues to advance its clinical and preclinical programs. Currently, four drug candidates are undergoing clinical development in humans. Some candidates are proprietary, while others involve strategic partnerships. Orano Med is developing candidates with Sanofi, Roche, and Molecular Partners. These collaborations support the company’s efforts to advance targeted alpha therapies.
At the same time, Orano Med continues to expand its preclinical pipeline. The company aims to apply the technology across additional cancer types. Therefore, ATLab Valenciennes strengthens Orano Med’s manufacturing infrastructure in Europe. It also supports the broader development of targeted cancer treatments. The facility could help improve access to emerging radiopharmaceutical therapies. Additionally, its strategic location addresses the time-sensitive nature of lead-212 treatments.
Through its integrated platform, Orano Med is positioning itself for larger-scale production. The company also continues advancing its oncology pipeline through clinical and preclinical research. Overall, the inauguration marks a significant step for lead-212 targeted alpha therapies in Europe.
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News Source: Businesswire.com
