Dr. Miloslav Polášek, head of the Coordination Chemistry group at IOCB Prague, has been named one of the ten most successful Czech innovators of 2025 in the Innovators of the Year poll organized annually by Hospodářské noviny. The winners were selected by an expert jury composed primarily of representatives from the private sector. The award ceremony took place on 8 April 2025, at the UMPRUM Technology Center in Prague.
Miloslav Polášek developed a novel method that significantly speeds up and improves the efficiency of the previously slow separation process of the radioactive isotope lutetium-177, which is used in targeted cancer therapy. Thanks to this innovation, Lu-177 can now be produced on a much larger scale. The technology was licensed in 2019 by the U.S.-based company SHINE Technologies, which recently opened a production facility in Wisconsin.
“I truly appreciate this recognition. It is both a reward and a motivation for me. I believe our unique method will help advance high-quality targeted cancer treatments and make a real difference for society,” said Miloslav Polášek.
Lutetium-177 selectively destroys cancer cells using low-energy beta particles. A specialized carrier molecule delivers the radioisotope directly to the tumor site. Currently, Lu-177 is used to treat neuroendocrine tumors and advanced prostate cancer, but it shows strong potential for treating other types of cancer as well. Dozens of clinical trials involving Lu-177 are underway around the world, and both its importance and demand are expected to grow significantly in the coming years.
