Key Isotope Pact to Accelerate Next-Gen Cancer Drug Development

ATHENS, Greece & BELOIT, Wisc. – February 17, 2026 – A landmark strategic agreement between NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes and BIOEMTECH is set to resolve a critical supply chain bottleneck for one of the most promising cancer-fighting isotopes, Actinium-225 (Ac-225). The deal ensures that researchers and drug developers using BIOEMTECH’s preclinical services will have consistent access to this powerful alpha-emitting radioisotope, a move expected to significantly accelerate the development of next-generation targeted radiotherapeutics.

Under the terms announced, Wisconsin-based NorthStar will provide a reliable supply of Ac-225 to BIOEMTECH, a Greek preclinical contract research organization (CRO) that also manufactures its own advanced imaging systems. This partnership directly addresses the historical scarcity of Ac-225, which has long been a major hurdle for scientists working on novel cancer treatments. Initial deliveries are slated to begin in the first quarter of 2026.

“Reliable isotope supply is a major bottleneck in early radiopharmaceutical development,” said Dr. Maritina Rouchota, Chief Quality Officer of BIOEMTECH, in a statement. “This agreement enables our customers to run more predictable, higher-impact studies using our imaging platforms.”

Solving the Ac-225 Supply Crisis

Actinium-225 is at the forefront of a paradigm shift in oncology known as Targeted Alpha Therapy (TAT). The isotope emits potent, high-energy alpha particles that can be attached to molecules designed to seek out and bind to cancer cells. Once delivered, these alpha particles destroy cancer cells with remarkable precision by causing double-strand DNA breaks, all while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue due to their very short range. This makes Ac-225 a highly sought-after weapon in the fight against metastatic and hard-to-treat cancers.

However, the demand for Ac-225 has vastly outstripped its supply. The global alpha emitter market, where Ac-225 holds a dominant 38% share, is projected to surge from approximately $697 billion in 2025 to over $1.6 trillion by 2034. This explosive growth is fueled by a burgeoning pipeline of Ac-225-based drugs, but progress has been hampered by supply constraints. In a high-profile example, Bristol Myers Squibb’s subsidiary RayzeBio was forced to pause a Phase 3 trial in 2024 due to an Ac-225 shortage, underscoring the fragility of the supply chain.

“NorthStar is committed to expanding Ac-225 supply for the growing radiopharmaceutical market,” stated Frank Scholz, President and CEO of NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes. “Working with BIOEMTECH to support preclinical researchers aligns with our mission to advance global access to radiopharmaceuticals.”

A Technological Leap in Isotope Production

The foundation of this new agreement is NorthStar’s innovative production technology. The company is the first to achieve commercial-scale production of non-carrier-added (n.c.a.) Ac-225 using environmentally preferable electron accelerator technology. This method stands in contrast to other production routes that can yield Ac-225 contaminated with Actinium-227, a long-lived byproduct with a 22-year half-life that creates significant regulatory and long-term waste management challenges for hospitals and research labs.

By using its proprietary process, NorthStar produces a highly pure form of Ac-225 that is ideal for radiolabeling and therapeutic use. The company’s Beloit facility is already producing millicurie-level quantities weekly and has a scalable infrastructure, with each electron accelerator capable of producing up to 200 Curies annually. This capacity provides the reliability and volume needed to support the rigorous demands of preclinical and, eventually, clinical research.

This technological advantage positions NorthStar as a key player among a growing field of suppliers, including consortia like Actineer (a joint venture of ITM and Canadian Nuclear Laboratories) and companies like TerraPower Isotopes, all racing to meet the industry's insatiable demand.

Empowering Preclinical Discovery

For BIOEMTECH and its clients—a mix of pharmaceutical firms, biotech startups, and academic institutions—the agreement is a game-changer. As a specialized preclinical CRO, BIOEMTECH provides the critical early-stage research services necessary to evaluate the safety and efficacy of new radiopharmaceuticals before they can advance to human trials. This includes everything from in vitro assays to complex in vivo molecular imaging and dosimetry studies using the company's proprietary “eyes” series of high-resolution PET and SPECT scanners.

Consistent access to high-quality Ac-225 means researchers can design and execute more robust and reproducible studies. The partnership includes coordinated logistics and technical support to seamlessly integrate isotope delivery with research timelines. This eliminates the uncertainty that has plagued preclinical programs, allowing for faster and more efficient evaluation of promising drug candidates. By de-risking this crucial first step in the drug development process, the collaboration not only enhances BIOEMTECH's service offering but also strengthens the entire radiopharmaceutical ecosystem.

Fueling the Radiopharmaceutical Gold Rush

The NorthStar-BIOEMTECH pact arrives amid a period of intense investment and consolidation in the radiopharmaceutical sector. Major pharmaceutical giants are spending billions to acquire promising Ac-225 technologies and secure their own supply chains. Novartis, Bayer, AstraZeneca, and Eli Lilly have all made significant moves, signing multi-year supply deals and acquiring biotechs with Ac-225-based assets in their pipelines.

This flurry of activity highlights the industry's confidence in the therapeutic potential of targeted alpha therapies. A stable supply of key isotopes like Ac-225 is the foundational infrastructure upon which this entire field is built. Partnerships that connect innovative producers like NorthStar with essential research hubs like BIOEMTECH are vital for translating scientific promise into clinical reality. By ensuring that the earliest stages of drug discovery are well-supplied, this agreement helps build a more resilient development pipeline, ultimately accelerating the journey of potentially life-saving cancer treatments from the laboratory bench to the patient's bedside.