Framatome and Nuclearelectrica push ahead on lutetium-177 project
Romania's nuclear power plant operator Nuclearelectrica and France's Framatome are aiming to launch a full-scale commercial irradiation service for medical isotopes in 2028.
Following the conclusion of a feasibility study, the two companies are now implementing the project, covering detailed engineering procurement, installation and the commissioning of the irradiation system at unit 2 of the Cernavoda nuclear power plant in Romania. Lutetium-177 (Lu-177) is a beta-emitting radioisotope used in targeted radionuclide therapy for the treatment of prostate and other cancers, destroying the cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unaffected.
Framatome Healthcare, through its Isogen joint venture with Canada's Kinectrics, is involved in a pioneering international collaboration with Bruce Power and ITM Isotope Technologies Munich SE, to produce Lu-177 from a commercial nuclear power reactor, at Bruce Power's unit 7, which, like Cernavoda, is a Candu pressurised heavy water reactor.
The feasibility study concluded that Framatome's technology could be adapted to Cernavoda unit 2 which would be "able to irradiate ytterbium-176 at the market technical standard required to produce lutetium-based radiopharmaceuticals".
François Gauché, VP Framatome Healthcare, said: "We are proud to have reached this milestone with Nuclearelectrica and to take this important project on to the next phase. Bringing additional capacities from nuclear power reactors helps build a large-scale, reliable and diversified supply of critical radioisotopes to fight cancer. The demand for massively accessible cutting-edge cancer treatments globally is growing rapidly. The nuclear industry stands ready to play its part in strengthening the supply chain for lifesaving radioisotopes in Europe and across the world."
Cosmin Ghita, CEO of Nuclearelectrica, said: "Nuclearelectrica is committed to advancing not only energy production but also public health. The production of lutetium-177 marks a significant milestone for Romania and the global nuclear industry. Our role in supporting cutting-edge oncological treatments through nuclear medicine solidifies the role of nuclear energy in enhancing human well-being. This project highlights the multifaceted contributions that nuclear power can make - clean energy generation and life-saving medical isotopes."
Cernavoda 2 is a 650 MWe Candu 6 pressurised heavy water reactor - by the Danube River, 160 kilometres east of the capital Bucharest - which began commercial operation in 2007.
