High-Performance Cyclotron Target for RadioGallium

Nuclear medicine uses radiation for diagnostic or treatment purposes. Diagnostic procedures with radioisotopes are widely used with over 50 million procedures annually. Positron emission tomography (PET) is an imaging technology with very high sensitivity and depth-independent high resolution, based on detecting radiation from a positron-emitting radionuclide. One such nuclide is Gallium-68 (68Ga), which holds high expectations to become very useful in future cancer diagnostics, and the demand is prospected to increase by 8.7 % annually. There is already a shortage of 68Ga in the market, and growth of clinical utilization is hampered by production-technology limitations. The project was based on patent-protected methods from the University of Oslo and Norwegian Medical Cyclotron centre for more efficient 68Ga production in medical particle accelerators (cyclotrons). The project verified that the technology has industrial applicability and commercial interest. The intellectual property portfolio was developed strategically to increase the business opportunity by widening the scope of radioisotopes that could be produced by the technology and securing the supply chain. Furthermore, a licensing strategy was developed to support a successful build-up of new Norwegian medical-radioisotope industry.

The project results verify the potential of the UiO and NMS technology to contribute to improved diagnosis with molecular imaging, pairing excellent with the complementary activities in Norway, both on the industry side and within research, on targeted therapy of cancer. The project allow further strengthening of Norway's strong position in the field. PET takes an important position in medicine, especially within oncology. It is essential for Norwegian pharmaceutical industry, as well as for private and public clinics to improve state of the art molecular imaging. Increased supply of radiopharmaceuticals will open new business opportunities, implying creation of new work places. In the short term, Radfarma AS is likely to increase their business portfolio based on the project results. We will meet the unmet demand for 68Ga, which can aid to diagnosis that can improve survival rates and overall response of treatment, and provide substantially health benefit for the society.