Cellectar Biosciences Secures Long-Term Isotope Supply Agreement with Nusano, Averting Future Supply Chain Disruptions for Radiotherapy Programs.

Cellectar Biosciences has entered into a long-term agreement with Nusano for the supply of iodine-125 and actinium-225 isotopes, crucial for their clinical studies and potential future commercial applications. This partnership ensures a consistent supply of these isotopes, vital for advancing their radiotherapy programs. The company has also made progress with its PDC platform and radio conjugate pipeline, particularly with Iopofosine I 131 for treating Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia.

Cellectar Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLRB) has entered into a significant partnership with Nusano, a physics company specializing in radioisotope production. The agreement, announced on June 26, 2025, involves a multi-year supply of iodine-125 (I-125) and actinium-225 (Ac-225) [1]. These isotopes are critical for Cellectar's clinical studies and future commercial applications, particularly in advancing their targeted radiotherapy programs.

The partnership is a strategic move for Cellectar, ensuring a consistent and reliable supply of these essential isotopes. James Caruso, CEO of Cellectar, underscored the importance of this agreement: "Securing a reliable supply of iodine-125 and actinium-225 is a critical milestone in advancing our targeted radiotherapy programs" [1]. This supply will support key clinical programs, including the upcoming Phase 1b trial of CLR 125 for triple-negative breast cancer and the development of CLR 225 for pancreatic cancer.

Nusano's advanced production platform is designed to address longstanding supply chain challenges, enabling the production of rare and previously hard-to-access isotopes at commercial scale. Chris Lowe, CEO of Nusano, expressed pride in supporting Cellectar's mission: "We’re proud to support Cellectar as they work to bring novel, targeted cancer therapies to patients" [2]. The partnership validates Nusano's strategic approach to domestic isotope production, addressing the uncertainty and fragmentation in the global supply chain for actinium and other alpha emitters.

This agreement also highlights the growing momentum in radiotherapeutics and targeted alpha therapy (TAT) platforms. Nusano's expansion and growing list of partnerships, including those with dGenThera, Ratio Therapeutics, and Clarity Pharmaceuticals, further cement its role as a key domestic supplier in the radiopharma sector [2].

Cellectar's focus on the Phospholipid Drug Conjugate™ (PDC) delivery platform has led to notable progress, including the development of Iopofosine I 131 for treating Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia. This drug has received multiple FDA designations, including Breakthrough Therapy Designation, Orphan Drug Designation, and Rare Pediatric Drug Designation [1].

In conclusion, the partnership between Cellectar and Nusano is a significant step forward in the development of targeted radiotherapeutics. It ensures a reliable supply of critical isotopes, supports ongoing clinical trials, and positions Cellectar for future commercial success.

References:
[1] https://www.cellectar.com/news-media/press-releases/detail/364/cellectar-biosciences-and-u-s--based-nusano-enter
[2] https://www.techbuzznews.com/nusano-signs-multi-isotope-supply-agreement-with-cellectar-biosciences-to-fuel-cancer-drug-development/