Alpha Emitter Market

Market Overview

The global alpha emitter market size was valued at USD 146.96 million in 2022. It is projected to reach USD 601.59 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 13.67% during the forecast period (2023-2031).

Alpha emitters are substances emitted by radioactive sources that decay after releasing alpha particles. They achieve the proper biodistribution and related dose distribution to obtain successful therapy without resulting in intolerable short- or long-term adverse effects. In medical operations, alpha particles are more harmful to tumor cells than beta particles due to their very high cell-killing rates. As a result, they harm surrounding healthy tissues less. Some radionuclides employed in the therapy procedure include radium, lead, and bismuth. Alpha-particle treatment for cancer is undoubtedly one of the most difficult multidisciplinary endeavors. With acceptable short- and long-term toxicity, alpha emitters accomplish the required biodistribution and associated dosage distribution for effective therapy. 

Market Dynamics

Market Drivers

Increasing Prevalence of Cancer

Targeted anticancer/Alpha therapy is becoming more and more popular as cancer incidence rises (TAT). Short-range, high-efficiency -particle radioimmunotherapy is a promising strategy for treating various chronic illnesses. The ability of -particles to kill cells is excellent in targeted therapy. Treatment for chronic disorders using alpha emitter radiation treatment is quite beneficial. After cardiovascular disorders, cancer is the second most prevalent cause of mortality worldwide. By providing energy directly to the DNA of cells and fatally sabotaging chemical reactions, alpha particles are a more direct form of treatment. It is in high demand to treat prostate cancer that has gone to the bone and is also being explored in treating other forms of cancer. The alpha emitters may cause less damage to neighboring healthy tissue. As a result, it is anticipated that the market under study will increase rapidly over the projection period.

Market Restraint

Short Half-life of Radiopharmaceuticals

A radiopharmaceutical is a medication that includes a radionuclide in a usable form that is safe for human consumption. The radionuclide is essential to the preparation's medicinal use, making it suitable for one or more diagnostic or therapeutic benefits. Half-lives are the intervals after which the radioactivity of these radiopharmaceuticals falls to half of what it was initially. Physical, biological, and effective half-lives are the three factors that should be considered when using radioactive medicines for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Effective half-life is the amount of time needed for both elimination and decay to bring the radioactivity level of a body organ or the entire body down to precisely half its initial value.

Market Opportunities

Increased Awareness about the Potential Benefits of Targeted Alpha Therapy

With the prevalence of cancer rising, targeted anticancer/alpha treatment (TAT) is becoming more and more common. The potential benefits of tailored medicines to treat such illnesses are becoming more widely known among medical professionals and scientific communities worldwide. Due to this raised awareness, targeted therapy has been the subject of extensive research. This therapy's many facets are still being researched. Targeted alpha treatment is now being used in several clinical trials and has demonstrated its potential to cure disseminated and micro-metastatic cancers without any significant or insurmountable toxicities. As a result, nuclear medications represent a promising market for the early identification and imaging of various diseases because they provide a quick and painless procedure.

Regional Analysis

North America Dominates the Global Market

The global alpha emitter market is bifurcated into four regions: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA. 

North America is the most significant revenue contributor and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 14.37% during the forecast period. Due to the presence of key market participants and the rising prevalence of infectious and chronic diseases, the United States holds the most significant share of the market under study. The nation has the most established domestic providers of radioactive commercial raw materials and the most international suppliers. The main element fueling the market's expansion in the United States is the rise in cancer cases and chronic neurological disorders. As an illustration, the 223RaCl2 (Xofigo) product from Bayer AG was the first alpha-emitting radioisotope to be registered in the United States for palliative therapy of prostate cancer bone metastases using indirect physiological targeting.

In addition, launching novel goods, collaborations, partnerships, and acquisitions are just a few of the techniques prominent market players in the nation are using, which are anticipated to spur the market's expansion in the United States. One of the biggest alpha therapy research facilities is Canada's particle accelerator center, which predominantly uses At-211 and A-209 and receives funding from the Canadian Cancer Society Innovation. In addition, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), the nation's premier nuclear science and technology center, has been stepping up its efforts to develop targeted alpha therapy (TAT) agents. This includes increased production of essential radioisotopes through collaboration with TRIUMF, Canada's national particle accelerator center, which is expected to spur market growth.

Europe is expected to grow at a CAGR of 15.38% during the forecast period. The growing prevalence of chronic and infectious diseases and the expansion of radiopharmaceutical research and development are the main drivers propelling the alpha emitter market in the United Kingdom. Many businesses are developing initiatives to use radiopharmaceuticals to treat diseases like cancer. The primary study topics in the aforementioned European nations are Ra-223, Bi-213, and Pb-212. Since the past five years, Bayer's drug has been distributed throughout the entire European Union, making the rest of Europe, in particular Norway and the Benelux countries, the largest share partners for this medication. For instance, according to the National Clinical Trial (NCT) Registry, Bayer AG and Janssen research and development LLC are currently conducting a phase II clinical trial in Belgium, Sweden, Poland, Norway, and the Netherlands to determine the effectiveness of Radium-223 dichloride combined with abiraterone acetate and prednisone/prednisolone in the treatment of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).

The Chinese Society of Nuclear Medicine (CSNM) and the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) may appear to be poles apart on a map, but the two organizations have much in common regarding priorities and specialty development. The two organizations collaborated on projects to advance molecular imaging and nuclear medicine globally. As a result of the factors above, China's market for alpha emitters is anticipated to increase significantly throughout the projected period. In 1964, the Japanese Society of Nuclear Medicine (JSNM) was founded. The primary objective of JSNM is to encourage the proper development of medical uses for radioactive materials and stable nuclides. International cooperation is something that the JSNM is interested in for the advancement of nuclear medicine. The JSNM contributes to the rise of society and medicine through its efforts in Japan and internationally.

LAMEA’s demand for healthcare services is rising as disposable income increases. Due to aging populations, growing urbanization, and a rise in lifestyle diseases, the healthcare sector is expanding quickly in the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council. The government significantly contributes to the advancement of the populace and the healthcare system. Numerous initiatives are being carried out in the region to treat fatal diseases like cancer. Since these countries follow the same regulatory guidelines as Europe and the U.S., businesses can commercialize radionuclides more swiftly. The South African team, led by Sathekge et al., showed a patient with large-volume illness treated with 213Bi-PSMA to have an excellent biochemical and molecular response. Although there is a shortage of knowledge about the many diseases in South Africa, and the per capita income is having an impact on the number of cases receiving cancer treatment, it is anticipated that the market will expand slowly. As a result of the factors above, the market is expected to grow consistently throughout the projected period.

Segmental Analysis

The global alpha emitter market is segmented by radionuclide and medical applications.

Based on radionuclide, the global alpha emitter market is bifurcated into radium (Ra-223), actinium (Ac-225), and lead (Pb-212). 

The radium (Ra-223) segment is the highest contributor to the market and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 3.22% during the forecast period. For the treatment of advanced prostate cancer, radium-223 is employed. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Xofigo (Radium-223 dichloride) in May 2013 to treat bone cancer metastases in the skeleton (caused by advanced prostate and breast cancer) in patients who have already had treatment for low testosterone. Radium-223 is a superior cancer treatment than bone painkillers because its alpha particles are so good at destroying cells. They are better than beta-emitting radionuclides because they minimize marrow toxicity and do not entirely penetrate the marrow area. The most often utilized alpha-emitting radioisotope is radium-223, the only one with FDA approval.

Targeted alpha therapy (TAT) for malignancies or alpha radioimmunotherapy use lead combined with the alpha particle delivery agents Bi-212 and Po-212. The Rauscher leukemia virus (RVB3) was treated with the 212Pb-labeled mAb 103A in pre-clinical tests, and all animals showed histological cures. Gemcitabine (GEM) and 212Pb-TCMC-trastuzumab have been tested in pre-clinical research by Orano Med LLC to treat disseminated peritoneal illness. Oranomed is also close to completing phase II/III studies for several indications, including breast, peritoneal, ovarian, pancreatic, and neuroendocrine cancers. The 203Pb/212Pb theranostic duo has a potential future for usage in radiopharmaceutical theranostic therapy for cancer, according to Mengshi Li's article from 2020. The production of Lead-212 by Orano Med, a division of the Orano group, has expanded as research on using the isotope to treat various tumors grows due to its benefits.

Based on medical application, the global alpha emitter market is bifurcated into prostate cancer, bone metastases, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, endocrine tumors, and other medical applications. 

The prostate cancer segment owns the highest market and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.34% during the forecast period. According to the article "Radium and other alpha emitters in prostate cancer," prospective randomized trials show that 223Ra, which concentrates after intravenous injection in areas of osteoblastic metastatic disease, can extend survival in patients with bone-dominant castrate-resistant prostate cancer. The use of alpha particles in targeted therapy for microscopic malignant disorders is well suited to their unique properties. These qualities include a short path length and a high energy deposition density per unit of tissue travel distance. The most popular alpha emitter for treating castration-resistant prostate cancer is Ra-223 (CRPC).

In many solid tumors, bone metastasis (BM) can develop throughout the disease. The most typical primary tumors for bone metastases are prostate and breast cancer. The cumulative incidence of bone metastases in the United States was estimated by Hernandez et al. in a study published in November 2020 to be 2.9% at 30 days, 4.8% at one year, 5.6% at two years, 6.9% at five years, and 8.4% at ten years. Bone metastases have impacted 85% and 90% of men diagnosed with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Targeting bones with alpha-particle treatment is an entirely novel approach. Radium-223 has been particularly helpful in mCRPC patients with bone metastases in obtaining complete survival, changing the way radiopharmaceuticals are used thanks to alpha emitters. Osteoblastic lesions, pathological fractures, and spinal cord compression are some of the main symptoms of bone metastases. Compared to beta particles, alpha particles are more energetic (high-linear energy-transfer radiation), yet they only go a short distance through tissue. In particular, the spine is a typical site for bone metastases in the body's center.

Recent Developments

• August 2022- Alpha Tau Medical Ltd., the developer of the innovative alpha-radiation cancer therapy Alpha DaRT™, reported second-quarter 2022 financial results and provided a corporate update.
• November 2022- Actinium announced Positive 1-Year and 2-Year overall survival data for patients with relapsed or refractory AML in Phase 1 Actimab-A CLAG-M combination trial.