A core technical and business competency at AAPS is in the area of isotope production and distribution. Dr. Thomas J. Ruth, a senior research scientist at TRIUMF and BC Cancer Agency works with AAPS to provide cutting-edge expertise. The breaking news below illustrates the changing market and new opportunities for innovation.
A new study published in the prestigious Physics in Medicine and Biology journal uses sophisticated calculations and modeling to suggest that conventional cyclotron technology could be the answer to recent shortages of the high-demand medical isotope technetium-99m (Tc-99m), which is used for medical imaging. TRIUMF is a leader in the development of cyclotron technology, and is a research centre for medical isotopes. Currently, the production of Tc-99m depends on just five nuclear reactors worldwide. The fragility and sensitivity of the existing system was clear after an unexpected shut-down of one and then two reactors led to a global supply crisis. With the information from this new study, it may become possible to produce the isotope locally within the hospitals themselves.
The study, conducted by Anna Celler of UBC with TRIUMF’s Tom Ruth as a co-author, essentially applies a theoretical model to determine the most viable, efficient approach for cyclotron-based production of Tc-99m. Celler and colleagues predicted the peak production rates and the optimal reaction conditions, all in advance of conducting larger-scale tests. The idea of using cyclotron technology to produce Tc-99m has been present since the 1970s, but large-scale experimentation and implementation had previously been too expensive and less in-demand. This study is important as it allows researchers to by-pass the expensive experimentation that has restricted research and focus only on producing isotopes in optimal conditions. The paper will provide critical guidance for teams presently proving out the commercial feasibility of cyclotron production of Tc-99m with support from Natural Resources Canada’s Non-reactor-based Isotope Supply Contribution Program (NISP) program.
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