Innovative medical radioisotopes have the potential to revolutionise the treatment of cancer, which despite years of innovation and progress remains a leading cause of death worldwide. Yet the supply of elements like lutetium-177 (Lu-177) and actinium (Ac-225) is limited, potentially hampering cures of a disease that accounted for nearly 10 million fatalities in 2020 in OECD member countries.
In this context, the member countries of the NEA called on the agency to review the supply challenges and find ways to prevent shortage crises. The NEA co-organised the Second International Workshop on Medical Radioisotopes Supply with the US Department of Energy (DOE) and the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre in Paris on 24-25 October 2024. Building on the first workshop, the second edition convened over 130 experts and around online, including representatives from government, the private sector, and health and research organisations, to chart the development of secure supply chains for conventional and innovative nuclear radioisotopes in the medical field.
NEA Director-General William D. Magwood, IV delivering the opening remarks
NEA Director-General William D. Magwood, IV provided the opening remarks, in which he encouraged the participants to work together to facilitate these life-saving medical innovations. Bernard Magenhann, Acting Director General of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, and Ethan R. Balkin, Federal Program Manager for Radioisotope Production R&D, of the US Department of Energy Office of Isotope R&D and Production, delivered welcome remarks.
Diane Cameron, Head of NEA’s Division Nuclear Technology Development and Economics, welcoming the participants
The NEA’s first workshop on the supply of medical radioisotopes had highlighted developments in approved and proposed therapeutic radioisotopes that are expected to see significant demand growth. The second edition, responding to a consensus among stakeholders, added a focus on innovative radioisotopes like lutetium-177 and actinium-225, strengthening the medical radioisotope supply chain’s resiliency through monitoring supply and demand, and the critical infrastructure needs across medical systems.
The NEA activities in this area are intended to help policymakers, producers, and other stakeholders make the appropriate decisions to ensure an economically sustainable, long-term, and secure supply of medical radioisotopes.
The NEA is enhancing its monitoring frameworks for the demand and supply of emerging therapeutic radioisotopes such as lutetium-177 and actinium-225. The agency will conduct an in-depth study on radioligand therapy (RLT) in OECD countries, assessing the state of RLT research, therapeutic outcomes, and patient benefits. The study will also explore market growth potential over the next decade under various scenarios, identifying key challenges like infrastructure readiness and regulatory barriers. The goal is to provide policy recommendations that support healthcare systems in integrating RLT effectively, addressing awareness gaps, standardising training, and ensuring a sustainable supply of medical radioisotopes. Additionally, the NEA will facilitate cross-sector dialogue through reports and workshops to align with evolving medical standards and patient access objectives.
Read the NEA’s latest assessment on the security of supply of molybdenum-99 and technetium-99m entitled The Security of Supply of Medical Radioisotopes: Demand and Capacity Projections for 99Mo/99mTc for the 2023-2027 Period, which compares NEA demand estimates with projections of production capacity and facility utilisation.
