Oncodesign Services has expanded its collaboration with French research institute GIP ARRONAX to secure access to astatine-211 and other radionuclides used in targeted radiotherapy research.

The agreement strengthens supply of astatine-211, an alpha-emitting isotope attracting growing interest in oncology drug development, where developers are seeking more precise ways to deliver radiation to tumours while limiting damage to surrounding tissue.

The isotope remains difficult to access because of limited production capacity and a short half-life of around seven hours, creating challenges around manufacturing, transport and study scheduling.

Those constraints have become an important issue for companies developing targeted alpha therapies, particularly in preclinical studies where timing, dosing and biodistribution data are critical before programmes move towards the clinic.

GIP ARRONAX already supplies lead-203 and copper-64 to Oncodesign Services. The expanded collaboration now adds astatine-211, giving the company broader access to radionuclides used in radiopharmaceutical development.

Dr Aidan Synnott, chief executive officer of Oncodesign Services, said: “Astatine-211 is attracting attention due to its favourable nuclear properties and potential application in targeted radiotherapy.

“However, its short half-life and limited production capacity make access and logistics critical. Extending our collaboration with GIP ARRONAX helps address these constraints and supports continuity in preclinical programs.”

Targeted radiotherapy has become one of the faster-growing areas of oncology research, with developers investing in isotopes that can be linked to antibodies, peptides and other targeting molecules to deliver radiation directly to cancer cells.

However, progress has also highlighted pressure on isotope supply chains, with access to specialist radionuclides often concentrated among a limited number of production sites.

That has increased the strategic importance of partnerships between drug developers, contract research providers and isotope manufacturers.

Oncodesign Services provides preclinical research services focused on translational drug development, including oncology and radiopharmaceutical programmes. The company supports work ranging from early candidate assessment through to IND-enabling studies.

For companies evaluating targeted alpha therapies, reliable isotope access can help avoid delays in study timelines and improve the consistency of preclinical datasets.

Pr Ferid Haddad, director of GIP ARRONAX, said: “We have been working with astatine-211 for many years, producing it on a very regular basis and supporting its transition to GMP production and clinical trials.”

The deal also underlines Europe’s role in radionuclide production, as demand rises globally for isotopes used in cancer imaging and therapy.

With more radiopharma companies moving assets into clinical development, supply security is expected to remain a key issue across the sector.