The Centre for Advanced Imaging (CAI) of the University of Queensland in Australia has unveiled a new facility to develop therapies for cancer.
The Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) Facility for Targeted Radiometals in Cancer (AFTRiC) was established with a $1.2m grant from the ACRF.
The facility will focus on the assessment and development of new “alpha therapies” that can destroy cancer without impacting healthy tissue.
Under the government’s National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Scheme (NCRIS), the National Imaging Facility (NIF) made a $1.2m investment while the Ian Potter Foundation and the University of Queensland provided additional funding.
This grant was also supported by industry partners, including Telix Pharmaceuticals.
CAI was one of three beneficiaries of ACRF grant funds to commence new cancer research in 2021.
CAI deputy director (research) Professor Kris Thurecht stated: “Radiopharmaceuticals and theranostics have been identified by all levels of government as a next-generation research priority, and AFTRiC firmly positions us as one of the country’s leading capabilities in this space.
“We will be one of the few places in the country that can produce these specialised isotopes and, in collaboration with our industry partners, we will evaluate and hopefully develop clinical grade products for clinical trials.”
AFTRiC is expected to accelerate the development of new cancer treatments for academic and commercial partners.