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Agreement between Nuclearelectrica and Framatome for the production in Romania of the radioisotope Lutetium-177 used in the fight against cancer
SN Nuclearelectrica SA and Framatome have announced the signing of a cooperation agreement to explore the possibility of producing the medical isotope Lutetium – 177 in the Cernavoda nuclear-electrical unit. Lutetium – 177 is used for a variety of treatment for cancer.
According to a press release of SN Nuclearelectrica, the initial domain of implementation of the agreement includes a technical feasibility study, based on the Framatome production technology for isotopes, successfully implemented in Canada in 2022.
Framatome and Nuclearelectrica will work together to analyse how to maximize the existing infrastructure in Cernavoda in order to produce medical isotopes, besides the clean, safe, reliable, carbon emissions-free energy generated at present.
‘In the light of recent evolutions on the market of medical isotopes, the need for safe supply with medical isotopes is growing and, as a result, we consider that this is the right moment to develop projects of medical isotopes production at CNE Cernavoda’ said Cosmin Ghita, CEO Nuclearelectrica.
In his turn, Francois Gauche, the manager of Framatome Healthcare stated: ‘We are delighted to have this project with Nuclearelectrica. Mass access to nuclear medicine is closely connected to the development of supply chains on a large scale, reliable and diversified and we want to play a role in the fight against cancer, by helping to the construction of these supply chains. In order to better help the patients in the future, we will need regional nuclear medicine production centres and this project is an excellent opportunity to consolidate the supply chain in Europe’.
Nuclearelectrica has 27 years of experience in safe exploitation of the nuclear-electrical unit in CNE Cernavoda, being considered one of the most performing companies in the domain, at global level. Through strategic investment projects (Retechnologisation of Unit1 CNE Cernavoda, development of Unit 3 and 4 CNE Cernavoda, development of SMR project, development of Detritiation Facility) the company wants to supply clean energy, to support the objectives of energy stability and decarbonisation of Romania, to support the Paris Agreement and on the basis of ESG strategy to support the initiatives with impact on human health, similar to this agreement.
Framatome Healthcare commits to develop products and services for the health industry. The team supports the value chain of the radioisotopes used in the radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic imaging and for therapeutical purposes, supplies advanced solutions for complex installations for sterilization, essential for the use of medical materials. The Framatome Healthcare experts promote fight against cancer, develop and support medical apps of the nuclear technology.