Bill Gates recently visited the TerraPower Isotopes facility, a subsidiary of the nuclear power company TerraPower. The company saw a promising opportunity nearly a decade ago when radio chemists recognized the potential in radioactive waste from Cold War weapons. With the support of Bill Gates and ample resources, the company was able to pursue innovative ideas. TerraPower Isotopes recently achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first commercial-scale producer of actinium-225, a rare isotope used in cancer therapies.
Actinium-225 is considered a great candidate for cancer treatments because its radiation is precise, targeting only cells close to its intended site and lasting for a short time. TerraPower Isotopes is producing this isotope at its facility in Everett, Wash. The main source for actinium-225 is thorium-229, which is harvested from uranium-233 in weapons waste that has decayed over time. TerraPower has a partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy to utilize the recovered thorium for medical applications.
Although the supply of thorium-229 may seem small, TerraPower Isotopes has developed a process that allows for the production of enough actinium-225 to manufacture up to 400,000 doses of cancer therapies annually. The demand for actinium-225 is growing, with researchers and pharma companies awaiting shipments of the radionuclide. The DOE and companies in Germany and Russia are also producing actinium-225, but TerraPower Isotopes is a significant supplier in this market.
Actinium-225 has shown promise in treating various solid tumor cancers, including prostate, breast, colon, and liver cancer. While none of the actinium-225 cancer therapies are currently approved by the FDA, they are undergoing clinical trials. TerraPower Isotopes has begun shipping samples of its product to pharmaceutical companies and now serves over 10 customers on a weekly basis. The company is working closely with researchers, physicians, and drug developers in the cancer therapy space.
TerraPower Isotopes is part of TerraPower, a nuclear power company that aims to build a small modular nuclear reactor in Wyoming. Founded in 2006 with Bill Gates’ support, TerraPower realized the potential in producing actinium-225 and established the subsidiary. The progress on actinium production has been a significant achievement for the company, marking a positive step forward in their mission to innovate in nuclear science and impact the healthcare industry. This achievement has been lauded as a cause for celebration within the company.
While TerraPower continues its work on next-generation nuclear power plants, TerraPower Isotopes remains focused on actinium-225 production for cancer therapies. The company plans to hit another milestone in 2030 when they will produce their first electron in reactors, further solidifying their place in the field of nuclear science innovation. The success of TerraPower Isotopes in commercial-scale production of actinium-225 showcases the potential for nuclear technologies to make a significant impact on medical treatments for cancer patients around the world.
