Local brains develop sophisticated outcomes

A two or dual step reactor, known as FlexLAB, has been undergoing testing at the laboratories here at ANSTO since December 2010. It is a key goal in the research program of the CRC for Biomedical Imaging Development (CRCBID), which is developing novel radiopharmaceuticals for use as investigational medicinal products. 

Making a radiopharmaceutical that will be injected into the human body is a complex procedure. Each step in the production process is carefully designed and measured to make sure the radiopharmaceutical - or tracer as they are more commonly known - can do the important job it is made to do: help in diagnosing and managing the treatment of cancer and other diseases. 

To ensure the manufacturing process is as easy, safe and efficient as possible, a new production system has been developed that reduces the level of manual handling of radioactive materials that scientists need to do when making a tracer. 

The new two step reactor provides the scientists with two “pots” or reactors in which the synthesis of more complex, novel tracers can be carried out in an automated process. In the end, this means that the cost of supply of the tracer is kept as low as possible, due to the efficiencies of automated manufacture, which is good for patients and doctors alike. 

The FlexLAB is the result of a cooperative effort of the commercial and research partners of CRCBID, who include ANSTO LifeSciences. Liaising with Dr Thomas Bourdier and Dr Tien Pham, from ANSTO, Dr Peter Roselt from Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, and Adam Corbett from Cyclotek, a detailed technical specification was produced by CRCBID systems engineer, David Prowse early in 2010. 

Published: 28/04/2011

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