NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes said it has been awarded three U.S. patents and a trademark approval.
The patents cover the firm's RadioGenix isotope separation system and two key components: the molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) source vessel and the technetium-99m (Tc-99m) product cartridge, NorthStar said. The trademark was awarded for the company's brand of molybdenum-99, known as NuMolium. Molybdenum-99, the parent isotope of technetium-99m, is used for diagnosing and staging cancer, heart disease, infection, inflammation, and other conditions, the company said.
The three patents address the following:
- RadioGenix (patent No. 9,299,466) offers an efficient, automated method of processing medical isotopes. It will be used initially to separate Tc-99m from Mo-99 and purify the resulting Tc-99m solution, which will be used in preparing patient-ready pharmaceuticals.
- The Mo-99 source vessel (patent No. 9,281,089) is used to ship Mo-99 to customers using the RadioGenix system. It includes a Daikyo Crystal Zenith cyclic olefin polymer vial placed within a custom-designed shield that reduces radiation exposure and protects the vial from damage.
- The Tc-99m product cartridge (patent No. 9,336,912) constitutes the final step in Tc-99m production. It contains two devices to filter out endotoxins and remaining Mo-99 from the Tc-99m and provides cold sterilization of the final product.
NuMolium will be produced in the U.S. using nonfusion, nonuranium-based processes that begin with stable isotopes of molybdenum. This will help establish a U.S. supply of Mo-99 while resolving safety and security issues associated with conventional production methods, the company said.
