That’s how quickly RayzeBio radiopharmaceutical therapies, or RPTs, can be delivered after release from a new centrally located Bristol Myers Squibb manufacturing facility in the U.S. to the patients around the world who need it.
What’s being produced there is the next generation of RPTs, which show great potential in delivering a better outcome for cancer patients when compared to traditional chemotherapy. RPT targets and delivers internal radiation to cancer cells and seeks to spare the surrounding organs and healthy tissues. Further, RPT programs that use actinium — an alpha-emitting isotope with potent and short-range emissions — show a possibility for stronger efficiency and more targeted therapeutic delivery.
On July 11, the company held a ribbon cutting event for the new 77,000-square-foot facility in Indianapolis, IN, that will support the operations of San Diego-based biotech RayzeBio, acquired by BMS in February 2024, that develops and manufactures actinium-based RPTs.
BMS Board Chair and CEO Chris Boerner joined RayzeBio President Ben Hickey and other BMS leaders to welcome state and local officials and media to the new facility, which is manufacturing clinical doses of RYZ101, currently in a Phase 3 trial for gasteroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs). There are approximately 200,000 patients living with GEP-NETs in the United States. Many GEP-NET patients follow an indolent disease course and often progress beyond the current standard of care. There is an urgent need for additional treatment options for these patients.
Purpose-built to be a fully integrated, end-to-end manufacturing center, the site offers on-demand manufacturing with direct delivery to the patient’s treatment facility within just three days of release after production. Now fully operational for clinical orders, the facility will have the ability to deliver tens of thousands of doses of treatment for patients around the world annually when operating at capacity.
“We believe the work completed within these walls, taking isotopes produced from decaying nuclear material, could lead to life-changing treatments for patients with cancer,” said Hickey.
Why BMS believes in RPT
RayzeBio expanded BMS’ oncology platform with a promising pipeline of RPTs that have the potential to be effective in several different types of cancer, including GEP-NETs, small cell lung cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and other cancers.
RPTs allow physicians to deliver radiation in a highly targeted way directly to tumors. They have the benefit of being able to be used both as a useful diagnostic tool, to help image the precise location of the tumors, and as a therapeutic designed to kill cancer cells.
“Some of the most exciting science that we’re seeing is within RPTs,” Boerner said. “It holds significant promise in contributing to improved patient outcomes and helping us to define what’s possible for the future of science.”
RPT delivers radioactive isotopes intravenously to the patient. RayzeBio’s lead program uses actinium-based RPT, a high-potency isotope that causes significant damage to cancer cells. When the cells are disrupted in this way, it’s very difficult for them to come back.
Uniquely positioned in a radiopharmaceutical hub
The location is fitting as Indianapolis is rapidly becoming the epicenter of a thriving radiopharmaceutical ecosystem and is home to the highest concentration of radiopharmaceutical companies in the U.S. It is also a key national distribution hub offering unmatched reach — 50% of the U.S. is within a 10-hour drive. This allows for the reliable transfer of doses through road or air transport to destinations across the country and around the world. With multiple major airports within a three-hour radius, we offer fast and reliable worldwide transport directly to patients in need.
Additionally, the State of Indiana is actively strengthening its engagement and support for the radiopharmaceutical industry and has recently submitted a letter of intent with the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to allow regulatory authority over certain radioactive material by the State of Indiana, which may further streamline the opportunity for RPT development in the state.
“We’re proud to own and operate a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility that brings this incredible innovation here to Indianapolis,” Boerner said. “We look forward to seeing our Indianapolis facility set the new standard in radiopharmaceutical manufacturing.”
The establishment of the RayzeBio facility in Indianapolis signifies a major milestone on our journey to advance cancer treatment. The continued partnership between BMS and RayzeBio is expected to accelerate the discovery and delivery of targeted radiotherapy options, offering new hope and improved outcomes for patients worldwide.
