New Liver Cancer Therapy Nears Market with Key US Partnership

HALIFAX, NS & COLUMBIA, MO – March 31, 2026

A groundbreaking liver cancer therapy is advancing from clinical development toward commercial reality, thanks to a landmark agreement that solidifies a critical piece of the United States' medical supply chain. ABK Biomedical Inc. and the University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR) have signed a long-term strategic partnership, naming MURR the primary irradiation partner for Eye90 microspheres®, an advanced radioembolization treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of liver cancer.

The agreement formalizes a seven-year collaboration and represents a pivotal step in bringing this next-generation therapy to patients. By securing a reliable and scalable production partner, ABK Biomedical is paving a clear path to market for a device that has already earned Breakthrough Device Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Revolutionizing Treatment with Image-Guided Precision

Radioembolization with Yttrium-90 (Y-90) is an established locoregional therapy where tiny radioactive beads are delivered through the bloodstream directly to liver tumors. These microspheres lodge in the tumor's vascular bed and emit localized radiation to destroy cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. However, ABK Biomedical’s Eye90 microspheres® are engineered to overcome a significant limitation of conventional treatments: visibility.

Unlike existing Y-90 therapies, Eye90 microspheres® are radiopaque, meaning they are directly visible under standard imaging modalities like fluoroscopy and CT scans. This innovation transforms the procedure from a blind delivery to an image-guided one. For interventional radiologists, this means they can watch the microspheres being delivered in real-time, confirm their precise placement within the tumor, and adjust the procedure as needed. This enhanced control aims to improve tumor targeting and reduce the risk of non-target delivery.

Furthermore, the visibility allows for advanced dosimetry—the science of measuring the absorbed dose of radiation. Clinicians can perform a CT scan immediately after the procedure to accurately calculate the radiation dose delivered to the tumor and surrounding tissues. This provides crucial data for understanding the dose-response relationship and personalizing future treatments, a significant leap forward from the estimation methods used with non-imageable microspheres.

This potential is currently being evaluated in the ROUTE90 clinical trial, an FDA Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) study that recently completed full enrollment of 120 patients across 20 international sites. The trial is designed to assess the safety and effectiveness of Eye90 microspheres® for treating unresectable HCC, with primary endpoints focused on tumor response rate and the duration of that response.

Securing a Vital Domestic Supply Chain

This week’s agreement is more than a standard supplier contract; it is a strategic alliance that underpins the entire commercial future of Eye90 microspheres®. The partnership designates MURR as the exclusive irradiation partner responsible for activating the glass microspheres with Y-90, a radioisotope with a short half-life that demands a highly reliable and responsive supply chain.

Crucially, MURR is currently the only facility in the United States producing Y-90 for both clinical and commercial use. This unique position makes the University of Missouri an indispensable hub in the nation's nuclear medicine infrastructure. By partnering with MURR, ABK Biomedical not only secures its supply but also insulates its production from the geopolitical and logistical risks associated with international isotope sourcing.

"MURR is internationally recognized for its leadership in nuclear research and medical isotope production," said Mike Mangano, President and CEO of ABK Biomedical. "This agreement marks a major milestone as we transition from clinical development to commercialization. It underscores our commitment to Columbia, Missouri, and our confidence in MURR's unmatched expertise."

The reactor's unique operating schedule—running 24 hours a day, 6.5 days a week, 52 weeks a year—ensures the consistent output required for medical isotopes. Matt Sanford, executive director of MURR, highlighted this capability. "At MURR, our mission is to deliver absolute reliability in the production of life‑saving medical isotopes, and this partnership demonstrates exactly why our reactor is indispensable to patients in Missouri and around the world," he stated. "We're proud that our work not only fuels cutting‑edge innovation but also strengthens Missouri's position as a global leader in nuclear medicine."

A Public-Private Powerhouse for Missouri's Economy

The collaboration is being hailed by state and university leaders as a model for public-private partnership and a significant economic driver for Missouri. By anchoring the production of a cutting-edge medical device in Columbia, the agreement reinforces the state's growing reputation as a center for high-tech research and advanced manufacturing.

"Today's agreement reflects Mizzou at its very best -- bringing together world-class research, industry leadership and unmatched reactor capabilities to solve some of the most urgent challenges in human health," said University of Missouri President Mun Choi. He emphasized that the partnership accelerates discovery and directly benefits patients both locally and globally.

This sentiment was echoed by UM Board of Curators Chair Todd Graves, who framed the deal as a "powerful win for the entire state of Missouri." He noted, "By expanding high-tech research and advanced medical production right here in Columbia, we're strengthening our economy and delivering innovations that improve health outcomes for Missouri families."

The long-term commitment from ABK Biomedical provides stability and validates the university's ongoing investment in MURR, ensuring that the research facility continues to attract industry partners and contribute to economic growth across the region.

The Road from Trial to Treatment

With the ROUTE90 trial's enrollment now complete, ABK Biomedical will begin the process of collecting and analyzing one-year follow-up data from all participants. Positive results demonstrating the therapy's safety and efficacy will form the basis of a Premarket Approval (PMA) application submitted to the FDA. The Breakthrough Device Designation granted to Eye90 microspheres® in 2023 is intended to provide a more streamlined review process for this application.

This strategic partnership with MURR ensures that if and when FDA approval is granted, the manufacturing and supply chain infrastructure will be ready to scale immediately. By pairing its proprietary device technology with MURR's proven isotope production capabilities, ABK Biomedical has constructed a robust and de-risked pathway to bring a potentially life-saving innovation to liver cancer patients who are in desperate need of better treatment options.