SK biopharmaceuticals and Korea Cancer Center Hospital (KCCH) said Monday they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to develop radiopharmaceutical therapies (RPT).

The two will collaborate on new drug research, clinical development, and the establishment of actinium-225 (Ac-225) production facilities, which is a key raw material for RPT.

RPT is a field where procurement of radioisotope raw materials is key, and Ac-225 is the next-generation radioisotope that is receiving the most attention. If SK biopharmaceuticals succeeds in producing Ac-225 in-house, industry watchers expect that the company may be able to occupy a key position in the RPT supply chain and solidify its position in the global market.

"Recently, the hospital conducted the first clinical trial of alpha-nuclide targeted therapy using Ac-225 for patients with neuroendocrine tumors in Korea," KCCH President Lee Jin-kyoung said. "With the signing of this MOU, we will accelerate the development of new drugs using various radioisotopes, including Ac-225, to contribute to the improvement of public health.

SK biopharmaceuticals CEO Lee Dong-hoon also said, "The combination of SK biopharmaceutical's global innovative drug development capabilities and KCCH's R&D capabilities in radiopharmaceuticals will enable us to quickly capture the RPT space, which is emerging as the next generation of cancer therapies."