Speaker
Description
CERN-MEDICIS aims at producing and purifying by mass separation non-conventional radionuclides for research and development in diagnostics and radiation therapy.
It triggered PRISMAP and PRISMAP+ EU projects – furthering the European medical radionuclides programme, supporting the ongoing research across Europe and beyond in radiopharmaceutics.
CERN-MEDICIS exploits in a dedicated classified nuclear work sector, an isotope mass separator, a radiochemistry laboratory, a target irradiation station receiving1.4 GeV protons from the Proton Synchroton Booster (PSB). It also receives activated targets from external institutes, notably during the forthcoming CERN Long Shut-Down LS3.
Medical radionuclides are collected by implantation of the radioactive ion beam (RIB) into foils that are afterwards dispatched to a research center.
CERN-MEDICIS has been providing collaborating institutes in Europe, Pakistan and USA with several mass separated radionuclides among this non-exhaustive list: K-43, Sc-43/44/47, Eu-145, Tb/Gd-149, Sm-153, Tb-155, Tm-165/Er-165, Tm-167, Er-169, Yb-175, Ra-223/224/225, Ac-225 and for the first time Cu-67 and Ac-226. They have been produced both from irradiated targets at CERN as well as from externally irradiated samples. The progresses in the efficiencies and in the final activities triggered the interest to launch therapeutic clinical testing at hospitals.
Specific developments, such as for Sc and for Tb radionuclides, notably on target material preparations, on-line implantation measurements, isotope release studies and molecular ion beams were undertaken.
The latest developments and operation outcomes of the facility will be reported.
