IBA Signed Agreement to Distribute ARTMS Irradiation System
The deal expands access to solid-target cyclotron technology for medical isotope production starting this month.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Quantum Computing
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IBA has entered into a distribution agreement for the ARTMS QUANTM Irradiation System, a technology used to produce gallium-68 and zirconium-89. The partnership positions IBA as a single supplier for the sourcing, installation, and servicing of the hardware globally.
Why it matters
This collaboration aims to accelerate the availability of isotopes essential for theranostics, the combined field of diagnostic imaging and targeted therapy. By integrating the system into its existing network, IBA intends to foster a more reliable radiopharmaceutical supply chain.
The QUANTM Irradiation System utilizes solid-target cyclotron technology to generate isotopes like gallium-68 and zirconium-89. Unlike current liquid-based targets, the system is engineered to remain compatible with a variety of external cyclotron platforms.
The players
IBA
A Belgium-based firm specializing in particle accelerator technology for medical applications, with a global staff of approximately 2,300.
ARTMS Inc
A subsidiary of Telix Pharmaceuticals focused on developing technologies for radiopharmaceutical production.
The details
The technology functions as a solid-target system, meaning it uses solid materials rather than liquid targets inside a cyclotron—a particle accelerator used to produce radioactive isotopes. This architecture allows for the direct production of isotopes by bombarding solid discs with ion beams. As a single supplier, IBA will manage the sourcing, physical installation, and long-term technical servicing for both new and legacy cyclotron clients.
Timeline
October 1, 2026: IBA announced the formal distribution agreement with ARTMS.
The Tech Race
The integration of the QUANTM Irradiation System into the IBA portfolio represents a consolidation of the radiopharmaceutical supply chain. This agreement marks a shift toward standardizing solid-target isotope production across IBA's existing global cyclotron base.
New and existing cyclotron customers will gain access to integrated service support for the QUANTM system starting immediately. The deployment will primarily affect clinical and research facilities currently utilizing cyclotron platforms for isotope production.
The takeaway
The partnership creates a streamlined path for facilities to adopt solid-target technology for isotope manufacturing. Observers should track subsequent integration announcements from IBA to see which global cyclotron sites are the first to adopt the hardware.
Further reading
Explore broader trends in particle-based medical infrastructure in our Quantum Computing section.
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