Bucharest, November 30, 2023 – # rbj (Source: Agerpres) – SN Nuclearelectrica SA and Framatome announced the signing of a cooperation agreement to explore the possibility of producing the medical isotope Lutetium-177 at the Cernavoda nuclear power plant. Lutetium-177 is used for a variety of cancer treatments.
According to a press release from SN Nuclearelectrica, submitted to AGERPRES on Thursday, the initial scope of the agreement includes a technical feasibility study, based on the Framatome company’s isotope production technology, successfully implemented in Canada in 2022.
Framatome and Nuclearelectrica will work together to analyze how to maximize the existing infrastructure at Cernavodă to produce medical isotopes, in addition to the clean, safe, reliable and carbon-free energy currently generated.
“This partnership is a significant step to help improve the health of millions of people and to demonstrate the multiple benefits of nuclear power plants, which generate clean energy, contribute to energy stability, decarbonization and economic growth. In light of recent developments on the nuclear power market medical isotopes, the need for a safe supply of medical isotopes is increasing and, therefore, we believe that this is the perfect time to develop medical isotope production projects at CNE Cernavodă,” said Cosmin Ghiţă, Nuclearelectrica CEO.
For his part, Francois Gauche, director of Framatome Healthcare, said: “We are excited about this project with Nuclearelectrica. Mass access to nuclear medicine is closely linked to the development of large-scale, reliable and diversified supply chains and we want to play a role in the fight against cancer by helping to build these supply chains. To better help patients in the future, we will need regional nuclear medicine production centers, and this project is an excellent opportunity to strengthen the supply chain in Europe.”
Lutetium-177 is a beta-emitting radioisotope used in radionuclide therapy that targets cancer cells, used in the treatment of prostate cancer, and in multiple promising radiopharmaceutical developments for other types of cancer. The isotope destroys cancer cells, leaving healthy cells unaffected. Framatome’s proprietary isotope production technology enabled the first large-scale commercial production of Lutetium-177 in a reactor in June 2022.
Nuclearelectrica has 27 years of experience in the safe operation of the nuclear power plant at CNE Cernavodă, being considered one of the best performing companies in the field, globally. Through the strategic investment projects (Re-engineering of Cernavodă CPP Unit 1, development of Cernavodă CPP Units 3 & 4, development of the SMR project, development of the Detrition Facility), the company aims to provide clean energy, support Romania’s energy stability and decarbonisation objectives, support the Paris Agreement and, based on the ESG strategy, also support initiatives with an impact on human health, such as this agreement.
Framatome Healthcare is committed to developing products and services for the healthcare industry. His team supports the value chain of radioisotopes used in radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic imaging and therapeutic purposes, provides special alloys for the development of surgical implants and prostheses, and offers advanced solutions for complex sterilization facilities essential for the use of medical materials. Framatome Healthcare experts promote the fight against cancer, develop and support medical applications of nuclear technology.
