IBA expands PET tracer production

IBA Molecular has opened production and distribution of zirconium-89 for preclinical and investigational use with PET for distribution five days a week.

The investigational tracer provides a radioactive half-life of just over 78 hours and is comparable in biodistribution and PET imaging counts to a number of other PET tracers including iodine-124, copper-64 and yttrium-86. Its half-life and biodistribution make zirconium-89 an ideal isotope for radiolabeling antibodies, including monoclonal antibodies, as well as antibody fragments for research and development of novel radioimmunotherapies, according to IBA.

Zirconium-89 is the daughter isotope of yttrium-89, which features a gamma photon with an energy of 909 keV. There are no known interactions between zirconium ions and biological functions.

With increased availability of zirconium-89, IBA seeks to expand product development and commercialization services at its New Jersey-based radiolabeling and production facility for biotechnology, pharmaceutical and other research institutions aiming to develop new tracers for potential use in clinical trials.