First steps underway in $168.8 million nuclear medicine facility

The Hon Ian Macfarlane MP has overseen progress of the $168 million ANM project at ANSTO which will benefit the Australian health industry and position Australia as a global leader in the high-end manufacturing of nuclear medicine. 

Dr Adi Paterson, ANSTO CEO From left: Andy Garcia, ANM Program Director, the Hon. Ian Macfarlane MP (centre), Mr Craig Kelly MP, Dr Adi Paterson, ANSTO CEO From left: Shaun Jenkinson, ANSTO Nuclear Buisiness, Con Lyras,  ANSTO Engineering & Capital Programs, Cr Tom Croucher, Ms Melanie Gibbons MP, Mr Craig Kelly MP Mr Craig Kelly MP (left), Hon Ian Macfarlane MP (centre), ANSTO CEO Dr Adi Paterson
Hon. Ian Macfarlane MP, the Minister for Industry (Left) and Watpac Construction's NSW State Manager, Ric Wang (right) on site today at ANSTO's Lucas Heights campus The Hon. Ian Macfarlane MP oversees progress on the ANM project at ANSTO The Hon. Ian Macfarlane MP, Paul Greenfield AO, ANSTO Chairman  and Erica Smyth, ANSTO Board member. Minister with guests from hospitals and clinics that use nuclear medicines
 
Through this project, Australia will be able to triple production of molybdenum-99 (Mo-99), which is the base material for nuclear medicines currently used in hospitals and medical centres throughout Australia to aid in the diagnosis of cancers, heart disease, muscular and skeletal conditions. 
 

The Hon. Ian Macfarlane with guests from hospitals and clinics that use nuclear medicine.
The Hon. Ian Macfarlane with guests from hospitals and clinics that use nuclear medicine. 

ANSTO currently delivers the equivalent of 10,000 patient doses of  Mo-99 across Australia each week and it is estimated that Mo-99 is used in around 45 million medical procedures worldwide every year and demand is growing particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. 


ANSTO CEO, Dr Adi Paterson, welcomed Minister Macfarlane back to ANSTO and reiterated the Australian leadership being demonstrated through ANSTO expanding its important medical role, and helping to meet world demand for vital nuclear medicine supplies. 
 
“By investing in this new facility, the Australian Government has positioned Australia as a global leader in the manufacture of nuclear medicines,” said Mr Macfarlane. 
 
The ANM Project includes a nuclear medicine manufacturing plant and a waste treatment plant to treat by-products for permanent, safe storage at a national waste repository. The project is worth $168.8 million and subject to required approvals the plant will be operational from 2016.
 
Published: 08/05/2014

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