South Australian researchers are spearheading ground-breaking research in cancer treatment by producing the critical ingredients needed to deliver potentially lifesaving therapies.
Adelaide clean technology company entX Limited, through its nuclear medicine business IsoMedica, is developing technologies to feed the booming demand for medical isotopes amid ongoing geopolitical disruption to global supply chains.
At the core of their research is production of radioactive isotope lead-212 for use in targeted alpha therapy (TAT) of cancers such as prostate and neuroendocrine tumours, and the supply of ytterbium-176, a critical precursor for tumour-seeking isotope lutetium-177.
Lead-212 is a promising alpha-emitting radioisotope for TAT, which aims to selectively destroy cancer cells while minimising damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
Due to political tensions increasing the risk for major supply of lead-212, entX is using a novel approach to extract the isotope from precursor thorium-228, from mineral and resource waste streams to feed the growing lead-212 demand.
“By using a unique chemical process to extract materials from waste streams in Australia, we can help meet the global demand for cancer treatments,” entX principal scientist Dr Massey de los Reyes says.
Dr de los Reyes heads a team of seven scientists and engineers conducting IsoMedica’s lab research at the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) at innovation place: Adelaide BioMed City.
She says IsoMedica’s innovative approach of sourcing thorium-228 from industrial waste materials, is helping revolutionise production of lead-212.
Unlike traditional methods that rely on reactor-derived thorium, the company’s process isolates the isotope more purely, offering a reliable solution to meet the growing demand for cancer treatments.
Why IsoMedica’s work is unique
“This project is exciting mainly because of our unique approach to purifying thorium-228,” says Dr de los Reyes.
“Presently, the main source of thorium-228 is obtained via reactor irradiation, with the U.S. Department of Energy being a key supplier. However, access is limited.
“Our process isolates thorium-228 from naturally occurring radioactive materials found in soil and rocks, providing non-reactor-based thorium-228 that only a handful of specialised reactors can otherwise produce.”
IsoMedica collaborates with partners such as Tellus Holdings, which operates Australia’s only licensed low-level radioactive waste repository in outback Western Australia, that supports isotope access.
As TAT clinical trials advance toward regulatory approval and market entry over the coming years, demand for lead-212 and thorium-228 will soar, meaning a safe and consistent supply is critical for patient accessibility and future TAT adoption.
With most of the current global supply of ytterbium-176 accessed from Russia, securing an independent and reliable supply chain is critical for maintaining the stability of the larger lutetium-177 market.
The demand for lutetium-177, used to treat neuroendocrine tumours and prostate cancers, is driven by a strong pipeline of approved and pending radio-immunotherapy drugs including over 100 clinical trials globally with supply chains struggling to meet demand, entX says.
Ytterbium-176 is found in several rare earth minerals, such as monazite, euxenite and xenotime, which are abundant in Australia.
“By refining our isotopic purification process and building strong relationships within the global supply chain, IsoMedica is positioning itself to ensure a reliable and independent source of isotopes,” Dr de los Reyes says.
Company growth
In June 2024, entX was awarded a $1.9 million Economic Recovery Fund grant by the South Australian Government to be matched by entX to build a medical isotope production facility.
The company has secured a warehouse north of Adelaide and is in the process of obtaining the necessary permits for the facility.
entX also received a $2.9 million grant by the Federal Government to advance its ‘Mines to Medicines’ project, creating a sustainable sovereign supply chain for lead-212.
The company estimates the addressable market for lead-212 is projected to reach $300 million by 2030, driven by the expansion of clinical trials and expectations that supply constraints will ease.
Ytterbium-176 is estimated to represent a $1 billion addressable market by 2032.
A personal battle with cancer
For Dr de los Reyes there is a more personal motivation behind her company’s cutting-edge research and ensuring patients can have consistent, reliable and affordable access to the very best cancer treatment.
“My mother had both breast and ovarian cancer; watching her go through that was incredibly difficult, but I’m grateful that she’s been in remission for some time now,” she says.
“Everyone is touched by cancer in some way, whether personally, through a family member, or a friend. Giving people the chance to have their loved ones around longer is truly a powerful motivator for our team.”
entX research focuses purely on production of the isotopes. The company is not undertaking clinical radiopharmaceutical trials.
Dr de los Reyes says access to a thriving ecosystem has been crucial to their development through MTPConnect’s Adelaide Intermediary Program (AIP).
“The commercialisation expertise and industry connections we’ve made with MTPConnect’s AIP team will have a significant impact on a successful market entry.
“Their guidance has accelerated our ability to develop a critical sovereign supply capability that will support the burgeoning radiopharmaceuticals sector in the region and attract investment, highlighting the importance of such collaborative networks in driving innovation forward.”
Beyond cancer treatment, IsoMedica is also collaborating with NASA to develop radiation heat units to protect electronics during lunar exploration, helping to keep them operational in the extreme cold of space.
