Diagnostic imaging agent developer Lantheus Medical Imaging has extended its contract with NTP Radioisotopes, a subsidiary of the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation. Lantheus will continue to receive a significant and increasing supply of molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) produced from low-enriched uranium (LEU) targets through December 31, 2017.
Under the five-year agreement, NTP and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) will become the largest suppliers of LEU Mo-99 to Lantheus in the future, Lantheus said.
The extended agreement also provides for a separate supply of Mo-99 from the Institute for Radioelements (IRE) in Belgium. The ongoing supply relationships with NTP, ANSTO, and IRE provide Lantheus with access to Mo-99 from three processing facilities and six research reactors in Africa, Australia, and Europe. Additionally, Lantheus continues to receive Mo-99 from its Canadian supplier under an agreement that has also recently been extended, according to the firm.
Lantheus said it actively supports the U.S. government initiative to encourage the use of LEU in the manufacture of medical isotopes.
