On May 27, 2021 As interest and demand for more accurate prostate cancer imaging grows, and with the approval of the first Ga-68 PSMA based prostate imaging agent late last year1, Cardinal Health Nuclear & Precision Health Solutions (Cardinal Health) and Telix Pharmaceuticals (US) Inc. (Telix) reported that they have developed an in-depth white-paper, entitled: "Moving beyond the Myth: Meeting the growing demand for Ga-68 radiopharmaceuticals (Press release, Cardinal Health, MAY 27, 2021, View Source [SID1234580712])." The paper shines a light on the pathways for radio-isotope production, distribution and clinical application, as well as highlighting the extensive systems already in place to help ensure potential demand for Ga-68 imaging products is met.
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Despite major disruption caused by COVID-19, 2020 saw two new drug applications (NDA) and an approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the first 68Ga- PSMA-11 product for prostate cancer imaging albeit restricted to use in two academic institutions1. Since then, interest has been building in anticipation of other gallium-based imaging options currently under review by the FDA.
"A key to satisfying the demand for this isotope lies in having a robust network of radiopharmacies like Cardinal Health," said Dr. Christian Behrenbruch, Chief Executive Officer of Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited. "There is a perception in the industry that supply chain issues may limit the availability of gallium-based radiopharmaceuticals. Whilst this may have been true historically, this is no longer the case. The strength and power of gallium lies in its flexibility, with production by either cyclotron or generator. This offers greater flexibility and opportunity for scale than other purely cyclotron-based isotopes. Subject to regulator approval, we look forward to offering state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging to U.S. men living with prostate cancer, and Cardinal Health’s radiopharmacy network and infrastructure will be vital in facilitating nationwide access."
Cardinal Health Nuclear & Precision Health Solutions offers an extensive network of over 130 pharmacies, of which more than 110 are licensed to process 68Ga. Besides distribution efficiencies, Cardinal Health’s Accutrac system tracks doses during transit from the pharmacy to the site of care, enabling a greater than 99% on-time delivery record to help ensure doses are delivered where they are needed, when they are needed. "Patient and physician satisfaction is our top priority," says Tiffany Olson, President of the Cardinal Health Nuclear & Precision Health Solutions business. "Telix Pharmaceuticals is developing gallium-based innovations to advance prostate cancer imaging, and Cardinal Health is ready to help meet that demand."