VANCOUVER, British Columbia and MELBOURNE, Australia, May 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ARTMS Products Inc. (ARTMS), a global leader in the development of novel technologies enabling the production of the world’s highest demand diagnostic imaging isotopes, and Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited (Telix), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing diagnostic and therapeutic products using Molecularly Targeted Radiation (MTR) announced today they have entered into a development collaboration agreement to employ ARTMS’ high activity production of Gallium-68 (68Ga) for the manufacture of Telix’s prostate cancer imaging product TLX591-CDx (68Ga-PSMA-11 injection) for the imaging of prostate cancer with Positron Emission Tomography (PET).

ARTMS’ flagship product, the QUANTM Irradiation System™ (QIS™) provides cost-effective, decentralized, local production of important medical isotopes, including 68Ga. ARTMS has recently presented data demonstrating industry leading multi-curie production of 68Ga following less than two hours of cyclotron irradiation time. Under the terms of the agreement, ARTMS’ cyclotron technology will be used to produce high-activity 68Ga which will then be validated for use with Telix’s production process for TLX591-CDx.

As part of the collaboration, ARTMS will also provide technical personnel to assist with Zinc-68 (68Zn) solid target irradiations and will utilize its intellectual property for high activity 68Ga processing. Telix will provide technical radiochemistry expertise to oversee radiolabeling and release testing of the final imaging product. Both parties intend to use the results of the collaboration in future marketing authorization applications and promotional activity.
Charles S. Conroy, Chief Executive Officer of ARTMS said, “ARTMS’ approach to 68Ga production is changing the way cancer is managed and is expected to be widely commercialized as a leading imaging isotope. We are proud to join forces with Telix to satisfy their supply need for high-value radiopharmaceuticals for detection of prostate cancer. This partnership brings us one step closer to our goal of providing uninterrupted global supply of high-quality medical isotopes for diagnostic purposes.”

CEO of Telix Pharmaceuticals, Dr Chris Behrenbruch said, “The clinical demand for 68Ga is growing exponentially and cyclotron-based approaches are likely to be an important complement to the use of 68Ge/68Ga generators. We are pleased to be working with ARTMS to be able to offer their targetry systems to customers who want to use 68Ga and wish to have a high-performance alternative to GE Healthcare. ARTMS has demonstrated best-in-class production of 68Ga, hence they are a natural partner for us.”

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