The Korea Institute of Radiological & Atomic Sciences (KIRAMS) signed a business agreement with Japan's Fukushima Medical University on Tuesday to develop radiopharmaceuticals for the treatment of intractable cancer and collaborate on research in radiation emergency care.

The agreement builds on an existing agreement signed in 2017, strengthening cooperation in radiation emergency care and adding cooperation in nuclear medicine.

KIRAMS expects to expand cooperation in the production, research, and clinical application of the radioisotope Astatine-211 (At-211), which is used to treat neuroendocrine and prostate cancers, to accelerate the commercialization of new drugs.

The two sides have previously collaborated on medical responses to radiation emergencies, radiation dose assessment, and treatment of radiation damage.

“We will share Fukushima Medical University's experience and technical know-how in responding to radiation disasters to upgrade the domestic radiation emergency medical care system, and contribute to the development and commercialization of new drugs to treat incurable cancer by combining our capabilities in radiopharmaceutical development,” KIRAMS Director Lee Jin-kyung said.