Industrial Applications and Chemisty Section

Project Code/Title I.1.01: Radioisotope production using reactors and cyclotrons

 Rationale : Radioisotopes as tracers or sealed sources are largely used in medicine, industry and agriculture. Member States are sustaining active programmes for production of radioisotopes using nuclear reactors and cyclotrons. Member States need the Agency support in promoting emerging new applications of radioisotopes or in enhancing the existing applications. Production of radionuclides for targeted therapy for cancer management is becoming a reality. It is estimated that over 3 million radiotherapies are done annually, the world over. Internalized targeted therapy can be more specific in its ability to give radiation dose to the tumour. Efforts are being taken in member states to develop radionuclide generator technologies to effectively bridge the gap between demand and supply. There is a very significant growth in the installation of cyclotrons for the production of radionuclides for medical application. Interesting developments are taking place in the production of radioisotopes using cyclotrons by developing better cyclotron targetry, radiochemical processing methods and automated chemistry modules. The isotope production facilities linked to both reactor and cyclotron undergo continuous upgrading and modernization to meet newer demands and modern quality assurance guidelines.

Member States have a strong interest in introducing radioisotopes for new applications and in improving current technology to ensure safety and acceptability of the products. Agency support is required to facilitate this exchange of information by coordinating development research in this field.

Objective: To enhance and sustain the expertise and capability of Member States in producing quality radioisotopes for targeted therapy and in developing new radioisotopes and radionuclide generators and in improving targetry and radiochemical processing methods in order to meet national needs as well as to assimilate new developments and implement QA measures in production technology.