ELECTTRA

About the project:

The main aim of the project is the R&D of novel radiopharmaceuticals based on terbium-161 and novel vectors for targeted therapy of tumors. The advantage of Tb-161 is in the emission of large numbers of low energy electrons followed by gamma radiation allowing tomographic imaging and therapy follow-up. This will allow targeting of single cancer cells, micrometastases and whole tumors, particularly in early stages of diseases to increase the treatment efficiency. Project results include not only the Tb-161 production in relevant quantity, but also novel targeting molecules. Collaboration between the Czech and Norway highly experienced partners in the research, development and commercialization of the results has all prerequisites to reach the proposed results.

2021

First year of project implementation was focused mainly on Tb‐161 production and a preparation for experimental work with Tb‐161. Two systems for routine Tb‐161 production were set‐up in Czechia and Norway to ensure reliable Tb‐161 separation and back‐up. Several production runs were performed resulting in the achievement of 1 and 5 GBq of Tb‐161 activity sample milestones. Such produced Tb‐161 was further used for the development and testing of labelling protocols, QC methods and other experiments.

2022

The second year of the project was mainly focused on the development of Tb-161 production and further experiments with this nuclide. Two independent separation systems, which were built at sites in the Czech Republic and Norway, ensured regular and reliable supply of Tb-161. The main problem we faced during the project was downtime research reactors in the EU during autumn 2022, which slightly affected the progress of the project by delaying the achievement of the planned results by the end of 2022. Despite this, sufficient quantities of Tb-161 have been produced to carry out experiments. Another fact was the turnover of the research team at IFE. Despite these problems, it was possible to achieved some results ahead of schedule, others have been significantly developed and are expected to be achieved early 2023.

Beneficiary and project partners:

České vysoké učení technické (ČVUT)
Oslo University Hospital
Centrum výzkumu Řež s.r.o.
Nordic Nanovector ASA
Ústav makromolekulární chemie AV ČR, v. v. i.
Institute for energy technology

The Efficient Low-energy Electron Cancer Therapy with Terbium-161 project benefits from a € 1,4 mil. grant from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA and Norway Grants and the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic.
The project is carried out under the KAPPA funding programme for applied research, experimental development and innovation, managed by the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic.