A pioneering 15-year collaboration between the biotechnology firm Bicycle Therapeutics and the UK’s Nuclear Decommissioning Authority is set to potentially transform cancer treatment. This partnership aims to develop targeted therapies by utilizing repurposed uranium from nuclear reactors.

The development of these advanced radiopharmaceutical therapies could significantly improve the treatment of cancers that are notoriously difficult to tackle with conventional methods. This includes conditions such as prostate cancer and neuroendocrine tumors, which impact organs like the pancreas and gut.

These groundbreaking therapies work by delivering radiotherapy directly to cancer cells, effectively destroying tumors while reducing the likelihood of harmful side effects. The key to these treatments is the extraction of the medical isotope lead-212 from repurposed uranium, a process that requires only a tiny amount of the isotope for effective use in radiopharmaceuticals.

Under this agreement, Bicycle Therapeutics will gain access to up to 400 tonnes of repurposed uranium over the 15-year period. This supply will facilitate the continuous generation of the necessary isotopes, enabling the production of tens of thousands of lead-212 doses each year.

Commenting on this initiative, Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall stated, “Cancer is a disease that impacts millions globally and causes immense heartache for many families.”

Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall commented: “Cancer is a disease that affects millions worldwide, and tears too many families apart.

“Breakthroughs in medical science are giving more cancer patients and their loved ones hope, and this unique partnership could help take that work even further.

“Transforming nuclear material into pioneering cancer treatments might seem like something from a sci-fi film – but thanks to the brilliance of scientists, researchers and doctors, it could be a life-saving reality.

“Work like this shows exactly why we’re determined to support our life sciences innovators to make groundbreaking new treatments possible.”

Bicycle Therapeutics CEO Kevin Lee, Ph.D., said: “As a UK-based biotech company, we are incredibly grateful to the UK Government for their recognition of Bicycle’s Nobel-prize winning science and potential to create radiopharmaceutical cancer therapies from up to 400 tonnes of reprocessed uranium over 15 years.

“This is a significant milestone, bringing us closer to our goal of helping patients live longer and live well.”