Babcock & Wilcox (B&W) Technical Services Group of Lynchburg, VA, has received approximately $9 million from the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) for the company's medical isotope production program.
The funds will be used to advance development of B&W's patented reactor technology for medical isotope production using low-enriched uranium.
B&W is collaborating with Covidien of Dublin, Ireland, to develop technology for the manufacture of molybdenum-99 (Mo-99), the parent isotope of technetium-99m, for molecular imaging and nuclear medicine procedures.
The program has the potential to supply more than 50% of U.S. demand for Mo-99, according to B&W.
Related Reading
Covidien to halt generator production, January 22, 2010
Facing Mo-99 shortage, nuclear medicine economizes, June 11, 2009
B&W taps R&D head for medical isotope program, February 26, 2009
Covidien, B&W to tackle medical isotope dilemma, January 28, 2009
Report: Use of low-enriched uranium in medical isotopes is feasible, January 15, 2009
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