The Department of Energy (DOE)’s National Nuclear Security Administration has awarded cooperative agreements for the production of molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) to three U.S. companies, including NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes.
“Mo-99 is a critical medical isotope that empowers us to fight back against heart disease and cancer,” said Lisa E. Gordon-Hagerty, DOE undersecretary for nuclear security and NNSA administrator, in a statement. “These agreements will facilitate its domestic production without highly enriched uranium, greatly reducing the potential for proliferation of nuclear materials.”
Each of the companies will receive $15 million in funding, and requires the awardees provide a $15 million match. The three companies to receive a cooperative agreement award are:
- Niowave, Inc., in Lansing, Michigan
- NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes, LLC, in Beloit, Wisconsin
- SHINE Medical Technologies, located in Janesville, Wisconsin
In a separate statement, NorthStar said it would use the funds to advance its neutron capture technology which allows for the production of non-uranium based Mo-99. It was also use the funds to continue developing its RadioGenix System.
“We greatly appreciate this new cooperative agreement award and the continued financial and technical support provided by DOE/NNSA, which will help NorthStar expand Mo-99 production capacity and efficiency, as well as support enhancements to the RadioGenix System to continue optimizing utility in radiopharmacies,” said Stephen Merrick, president and CEO of NorthStar, in a prepared statement. “Like DOE/NNSA, NorthStar shares a vision of protecting national security and the environment while providing the nuclear medicine community and the patients it serves with a reliable domestic supply of Mo-99 produced without highly enriched uranium.”
Northwest Medical Isotopes in Corvallis, Oregon is currently in negotiations with the DOD on securing its own cooperative agreement.
Matt joined Chicago’s TriMed team in 2018 covering all areas of health imaging after two years reporting on the hospital field. He holds a bachelor’s in English from UIC, and enjoys a good cup of coffee and an interesting documentary.