Eckert & Ziegler obtains manufacturing authorization for pharmaceutical Gallium-68 generators
June 06 2012 - 5:32AM
Business Wire
Eckert & Ziegler Radiopharma GmbH, a subsidiary of Eckert
& Ziegler AG, has been given the manufacturing authorization
for its pharmaceutical 68Ge/68Ga generators at the newly-built,
GMP-compliant manufacturing facilities in Berlin. The authorization
given by the local German competent authority allows the
manufacture of pharmaceutical 68Ge/68Ga generators for use in
clinical studies.
68Ge/68Ga generators enable Gallium-68 radionuclide production
for use in Positron Emission Tomography (PET). The radionuclide can
be coupled with a multipurpose diagnostic biomolecule to locally
create ready-for-use pharmaceuticals used in PET scan diagnoses.
Currently, clinical uses of Gallium-68-labelled diagnostic
pharmaceuticals are mostly in oncology. However, vast strides have
been made in the development of pharmaceuticals in cardiology and
in degenerative nerve diseases. In contrast to Fluorine-18 or
Carbon-11-based PET diagnostics, Gallium-68-based technology does
not require the use of expensive cyclotrons, thereby reducing costs
and enabling increased flexibility in the practice of nuclear
medicine diagnostic imaging.
Dr. André Heß, Board Member and head of the Eckert &
Ziegler’s Radiopharma Segment stated, “We are proud to have reached
this milestone. Having enabled the availability of Ga-68 labelled
diagnostics for clinical use, we would like to encourage academic
research, as well as research and development in the departments of
international pharmaceutical corporations, by bringing more
compounds into clinical development. The potential for
“theranostics” is also highly promising. The “theranostic” approach
entails initial diagnosis using a Ga-68 labeled molecule in a PET
scan followed by therapy where Yttrium-90 is coupled with the same
carrier molecule. The newly-obtained manufacturing authorization
will encourage and enable clinical studies for Ga-68 diagnostics.
We have also applied for marketing authorization to sell the
68Ge/68Ga generators.”
Eckert & Ziegler operates a network of cyclotrons in Central
Europe and is the manufacturer of pharmaceutical Yttrium-90
(European Marketing Authorization “Yttriga”). Eckert & Ziegler
has developed a customized technology platform for the local
manufacture of radiopharmaceuticals (in particular Ga-68 and
Y-90-based pharmaceuticals), which allows the clinical user to
implement all processes from synthesis and quality control to dose
filling.
Eckert & Ziegler is exhibiting at booth number #407 at the
Society for Nuclear Medicine (SNM) Annual Meeting 2012 from 9-13
June in Miami, Florida.
Eckert & Ziegler (ISIN DE0005659700), which has
approximately 590 employees, is one of the world's largest
suppliers of isotope technology components for radiation therapy
and nuclear medicine.
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