11 Feb (NucNet): The bulk of the excavation work has been finalised and more than 1,900 cubic metres of concrete poured as the ground floor of Australia’s new $168 million (129 million US dollars, 114 million euros) nuclear medicine manufacturing facility near Sydney takes shape, with operation on schedule for 2016, the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (Ansto) said.
The Ansto Nuclear Medicine facility, at Ansto’s Lucas Heights campus, will secure continued supplies of nuclear medicines for the domestic market, and the ability to “contribute significantly” to international demand, Ansto said.
The project includes a nuclear medicine manufacturing plant and a waste treatment plant to treat by-products for permanent, safe storage at a national waste repository.
The facility will enable Australia to triple production of molybdenum-99 (Mo-99), which is the base material for nuclear medicines used in hospitals and medical centres to aid in the diagnosis of cancers, heart disease, muscular and skeletal conditions.
The facility will produce Mo-99 from uranium targets irradiated in Ansto’s Opal reactor, which began operation in 2006 is also on the Lucas Heights campus.
Ansto said it produces around 10,000 patient doses of nuclear medicines per week distributed to more than 250 hospitals and nuclear medicine centres across Australia, as well as internationally.
Current world demand for Technetium-99m (Tc-99m), which is the decay product of Mo-99, is estimated to be approximately 40 million patient doses per annum.
Once fully operational, the plant will enable Ansto to increase its Mo-99 production capabilities and supply up to 25-30 percent of global demand.
“We are part way through the phased process of pouring the ground floor on this project,” said ANM board chairman Doug Cubbin.
“Our project remains on schedule and budget. We are confident the planned operational date is achievable.”
Work began on the facility in May 2014. At the time, the government said world demand for nuclear medicine is growing as more countries develop modern medical systems, but at the same time supplies are under threat – with the research reactors that produce around 70 per cent of this medicine due to shut in the next few years.
