Isotope JSC (a part of Rusatom Healthcare JSC, Rosatom’s radiation technologies integrator) has signed a five-year contract with Brazil’s Nuclear and Energy Research Institute (IPEN; linked to the National Nuclear Energy Commission or CNEN) to supply lutetium-177 and actinium-225, the most promising medical isotopes in radiopharma.

A long-term contract for monthly supplies of 177Lu-trichloride carrier-added became possible following a successful registration of lutetium-177 manufactured by INM JSC and approval of the Russian-made radioisotope for further registration of radiopharmaceutical DOT-IPEN-177 produced by IPEN/CNEN by the Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa). The contract strengthens ROSATOM’s standing as the leading supplier of radioisotopes to the Latin American markets.

This contract is the result of many years of meticulous work on both sides. It is of great social importance as it opens up new possibilities for the treatment of thousands of patients. With its unique technological base of research reactors, ROSATOM State Corporation produces the widest range of medical isotopes. One of the key tasks of Rusatom Healthcare and Isotope JSC is to increase the availability of radionuclide products which are the foundation of Nuclear Medicine. Collaboration with IPEN-CNEN is an example of international cooperation aimed to introduce high technologies to cancer treatment all over the world — said Natalia Komarova, Director General of Rusatom Healthcare JSC.

ROSATOM and IPEN-CNEN have been actively developing cooperation in Nuclear Medicine since the сontract for supplies of the medical isotopes in high demand (molybdenum-99, iodine-131) was signed in 2017. The сontract was concluded as part of an intergovernmental agreement between Russia and Brazil. Currently, ROSATOM covers about 50% of Brazil’s needs in medical isotopes.