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Start-up Global Morpho Pharma announces Framatome has acquired an interest in the company to accelerate industrialization of medical radioisotope manufacturing solutions
July 29, 2022 – Global Morpho Pharma has announced the acquisition by Framatome of a minority stake in the Nantes-based start-up. This capital increase will enable Global Morpho Pharma to accelerate the industrialization of its Lutetium-177 production technologies and to strengthen its research and development efforts.
Global Morpho Pharma is a startup founded in 2018 and based in the Nantes region of France. The company develops innovative equipment and provides value-added services to radiopharmaceutical companies for the production and distribution of medical radioisotopes.
Its lead project for the production of Lutetium-177 includes automated technologies for the production of Lutetium-177 based on irradiated Ytterbium-176 targets and a range of services that cover the entire life cycle of the targets from manufacturing to recycling.
Lutetium-177 is a beta-emitting radioisotope used for internal vectorized radiotherapy of prostate cancer and in numerous radiotherapeutic drug developments for other cancer indications.
Internal targeted radiotherapy consists in treating the patient with a radiolabeled product composed of a vector carrying a radioisotope, that will accumulate in the targeted biological tissue or organ. On decay of the radioisotope, its short-range ionizing effect leads to the destruction of the cells. By targeting cancer cells, internal vectorized radiation therapy is used to treat cancers.
Internal targeted radiotherapy relies on medical imaging data obtained using radiodiagnostics to locate the targeted cells, select the appropriate treatment for the patient, and monitor the progress of the therapy. The combined use of radiodiagnostic and radiotherapeutic products is called radiotheranostics.
“The rise of radiotheranostics brings new therapeutic solutions to many cancer patients. The rapid development of this emerging field requires us to anticipate tomorrow’s production chains to meet the growing need for Lutetium-177, the active substance of many radiotherapeutics” explained Pierre-Marie Lemer, president of Global Morpho Pharma.
“Our partnership with Framatome, which has strong and complementary expertise in the supply chain of medical radioisotopes, will accelerate the development of turnkey radioisotope production solutions for the radiopharmaceutical sector” added François Zimmermann, CEO of Global Morpho Pharma.
Framatome’s proprietary technology enabled the first production of Lutetium-177 in a Canadian power reactor in June 2022.
Through its CERCA division, Framatome has been present for more than 50 years servicing research reactors around the world, a key link in the security of supply of radioisotopes for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, including Lutetium-177.
“We are proud to invest in an innovative French company with strong values, highly connected to its local ecosystem and capacity for international development” said Bernard Fontana, CEO of Framatome. “This collaboration strengthens our Framatome Healthcare brand and builds on our contributions in the fight against cancer. ”
“Mass access to nuclear medicine is closely linked to the development of reliable and diversified supply chains” added François Gauché, director of Framatome Healthcare. “Our agreement with Global Morpho Pharma provides industrial solutions for the upstream supply chain and contributes to the production of the Lutetium-177, and the deployment of new cancer radiotherapies. ”
About Global Morpho Pharma
Global Morpho Pharma is a turnkey technology and service provider for the production and distribution of medical radioisotopes. It develops innovative equipment and builds efficient supply chains to enable its partners in France and abroad to manufacture or source nca Lu-177 and other radioisotopes of interest. Its team is dedicated to improving the accessibility and supply security of medical radioisotope for the benefit of patients, by providing convenient solutions to the rapidly expanding nuclear medicine ecosystem.
About Framatome
Framatome is an international leader in nuclear energy recognized for its innovative, digital and value added solutions for the global nuclear fleet. With worldwide expertise and a proven track record for reliability and performance, the company designs, services and installs components, fuel, and instrumentation and control systems for nuclear power plants. Its more than 15,000 employees work every day to help Framatome’s customers supply ever cleaner, safer and more economical low-carbon energy.
About Framatome Healthcare
Framatome Healthcare is committed to developing products and services for the healthcare industry. Its team supports the value chain for the radioisotopes used in radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic imaging and therapeutic purposes, supplies special alloys for the development of surgical implants and prostheses, and provides advanced solutions for complex sterilization facilities essential for the use of medical materials. Framatome Healthcare’s experts advance the fight against cancer and medical applications of nuclear technology.