The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization (ANSTO) will begin producing molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) within a few weeks as a new reactor is repaired and comes online, according to an article Saturday in The Australian.
The Open Pool Australian Light-Water (OPAL) research reactor at Lucas Heights is a relatively new facility, but it had been shutdown for nearly two years for repairs. In the meantime, Australia has had to import Mo-99 from a South African reactor, according to the newspaper.
ANSTO has gained approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration and has approval from the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) for trial runs; final approval is expected from ARPANSA in a few weeks.
Once the reactor is up and running at full production, ANSTO will consider entering the international market, according to the article. ANSTO is working closely with U.S. and Canadian regulators to acquire necessary approvals to sell Mo-99 in those markets. It has also concluded an arrangement with Lantheus Medical Imaging of North Billerica, MA, to supply the isotope once all the regulatory processes are complete, the article said.
Related Reading
PETNet opens new facility in Australia, August 6, 2009
FDA, Health Canada approve Lantheus moly, July 9, 2009
Lantheus signs Australian moly deal, June 15, 2009
SNM draft report shows U.S. Mo-99 production years away, July 22, 2008
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