Inauguration of IBA |
IBA began its existence in 1986 as a spin-off of the Cyclotron Research Center of the Catholic University of Louvain-la-Neuve (UCL), which produced its first cyclotron in 1947. The objective was to exploit a unique expertise in particle accelerator technology to meet growing needs in the fields of medicine and industry. While initially active in medical imaging, IBA quickly recognized the need to diversify.
So, the company turned its attention to radiotherapy and developed cyclotrons able to treat numerous forms of cancer with a degree of precision and efficacy not possible before. Then, in 1992, IBA expanded activities into the industrial sector of Sterilization & Ionization by introducing the Rhodotron®, a new type of particle accelerator based on a patented concept of the French Atomic Energy Commission.
Funds raised on the Brussels stock market from an initial public offering in June 1998 enabled IBA to accelerate progress by internal growth and the acquisition of other companies, all offering technologies and services reinforcing or complementing IBA’s core competencies.
Developing presence in the radiopharmaceutical sector: Acquisition of Eastern Isotopes |
In 2001, IBA became the majority shareholder of Eastern Isotopes, Inc. Eastern Isotopes was founded in 1993 in Sterling, Virginia, USA. The company’s incorporation as Eastern Isotopes came in 1995. In an effort to plan for what the founders saw as the “future of nuclear medicine”, Eastern Isotopes installed its first cyclotron in the Sterling facility in August 1998. This enabled the company to continue producing the standard nuclear medicine products, but also expand into the new PET imaging products, most notably FDG. This was the first step of several that established Eastern Isotopes as a leader within the PET imaging community.
The purchase of Eastern Isotopes was an opportunity for IBA to fulfill its strategy of setting up US-based FDG production centers to meet the growing needs of hospitals and imaging centers. Under the terms of the agreement, IBA had the option of buying all remaining shares in the years to come. In March of 2004, IBA exercised this option and Eastern Isotopes became a wholly owned subsidiary of IBA.
On April 21, 2006, all of the PET Radiopharmaceuticals & Isotopes activities of IBA and Eastern Isotopes, along with the cyclotron equipment sales, transitioned to the new IBA Molecular business unit. This formation of the IBA Molecular business unit enabled IBA to leverage its global expertise and innovation to offer its customers an international distribution network, more research isotopes and greater access to advanced cyclotron technology.
Developing presence in Europe: acquisition of the Schering radiopharmaceutical business |
Facing the growth of the PET market in Europe, IBA decided to increase its activity in the region through the acquisition of the Schering FDG and CIS BIO businesses. As a first step of this acquisition, in 2006, the IBA Molecular Europe entity was created to integrate the existing IBA FDG operations and the Schering FDG operations in UK, Belgium, France, Spain and Italy, making IBA Molecular the largest European PET isotopes network. As a second step, in 2008, IBA acquired fully the CIS BIO organization, extending further the perimeter of its radiopharmaceutical activities, with a complete line of SPECT radiopharmaceuticals and additional 6 FDG production facilities in France.
The acquisition of CIS BIO makes the company one of the world’s largest player in the radiopharmaceutical business, providing the group with an extended PET isotopes network, European distribution of a SPECT portfolio, and superior R&D capabilitie,s aimed at giving Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging a new invigoration.
Developing presence in Asia: Greenfield setup in India |
In order to make available its technology and products in the Asian markets, IBA Molecular has recently set a foot on the Indian sub-continent by establishing a radiopharmacy in Noida (Delhi area). Nuclear Medicine departments of in the Delhi region can now benefit from a reliable supply of PET isotopes.
Conscious of the growing demand for a qualitative supply of isotopes in most regions of the world, IBA is committed to expanding is network where its technology and know-how can improve the service to PET centers and ease the situation of the patients.
The future: taking Molecular Imaging further |
Committed to the rise of Molecular Imaging, IBA Molecular is putting to use today its combined expertise in acceleration, radiochemistry and drug development and establishing collaborative efforts with the medical community, the tracers and therapeutics of tomorrow.
Driven by the vision that Molecular Imaging has reached only a fraction of its full potential, we sense the enormous energy and hope that invigorates the medical community worldwide. By offering superior specificity and sensitivity, Molecular Imaging is opening new ways in the early detection, the characterisation and the evaluation of treatment response, giving healthcare providers new solutions to establish a more personalized and effective medical approach. By combining its capacity to develop pharmaceuticals, the breadth of its isotopes distribution network and its expertise in radiochemistry and acceleration, IBA Molecular has positioned itself uniquely to become a major player in this new era of the radiopharmaceuticals.
Partnering with leading Research Institutions, Biotech and Pharmaceutical companies, IBA has started developing its next generation of tracers, aiming to make PET and Molecular Imaging a major discipline of healthcare. Our goal is to transform the promises of these disciplines in innovative pharmaceutical solutions for the medical community in Oncology, Cardiology and Neurology.
The ultimate goal of IBA Molecular is to translate its superior service, superior solutions and superior science into products and services that will enhance the well being of people worldwide.
