Step 4 – Target Irradiation

🌐 The Irradiation challenge : How the industry is securing the next generation of radionuclides

Moving from targetry to the actual irradiation stage of radionuclide production requires a careful balance of physics, infrastructure, and strategic investment. To meet the growing global demand for diagnostic and therapeutic radionuclides, access to a highly diversified range of irradiation facilities (spanning neutrons, protons, alpha particles, and electrons) is critical.

Right now, the industry boasts a remarkably robust and complementary irradiation ecosystem:

• The neutron-based installations’ fleet: Production relies on a diverse fleet of research reactors at various lifecycle stages (operational, undergoing long-term modernisation, and under construction). Looking ahead, the successful introduction of CANDU power-reactor-based irradiation in Canada has paved the way for increased global capacity in the near future (Romania, Korea, China, etc.). In parallel, there is a renewed interest in alternative technologies, such as SHINE Technologies’s sub-critical systems, Astral Systems’ fusion-based neutron sources, and dedicated small modular reactors like Oklo.
• The accelerator network: Well-established networks of medical cyclotrons support PET diagnostics, backed by versatile research accelerators capable of delivering the specific beam types and currents needed for low-volume supply and cutting-edge research. Driven by favorable market conditions, we are seeing major commercial momentum, with significant investments underway in dedicated networks or high-throughput accelerators specifically to develop Actinium-225 or Astatine-211 supply chains.

When the private sector sees a clear, sustainable path to ROI, systemic supply risks begin to evaporate.

⚠️ The Challenges Ahead

However, maintaining this momentum requires navigating several critical bottlenecks:

1. Industrial Scaling vs. Research Needs: Production installations must secure reliable, cost-efficient, large-scale facilities for industrial production, while simultaneously preserving access to dedicated irradiation channels for early-stage research, championed by vital initiatives like PRISMAP in Europe and the DOE Isotope Program in the US.
2. Infrastructure Transition: Replacing an ageing fleet of research reactors is a notoriously long game, prone to regulatory and construction delays. Bridging this gap could require accelerating alternative pathways like power-reactor (CANDU) integration, though such a bridge could fundamentally shift the production toward commercial power reactors.
3. De-risking Capital Investments: Building new infrastructure requires massive upfront capital. To unlock further private investment, clear regulatory frameworks, and predictable market conditions that de-risk these long-term, capital-intensive commitments are prerequisites .

💬 The Big Question

As this infrastructure builds out, a delicate challenge is to be faced. Historically, the production of Molybdenum-99 relied on heavily subsidised research reactors (on the grounds of their multi-purpose characteristics). This led to distorted market prices and discouraged private investment, ultimately leading to recurrent supply shortages.

As we look to the future: How should public funding or incentives be deployed to support the development of industrial irradiation capabilities, while protecting a competitive ecosystem with fair pricing and sustainable market conditions?

We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. 👇

#MEDraysintell #Irradiation #NuclearMedicine #Radiopharmaceuticals #Radionuclides