Medical isotope production using local cyclotrons: a comparative study between Denmark and the Netherlands
Publication date: 27 June 2022 | Report language: EN
The Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport asked Technopolis to study the production and use of diagnostic and therapeutic radionuclides in Denmark as a potential scenario for cyclotron-based supply of medical isotopes in the Netherlands. Our team investigated whether increasing the cyclotron capacity in the Netherlands can reduce some of the expected problems regarding the future security of supply of medical isotopes. The situation in Denmark has been studied, as Denmark does not have a nuclear reactor to produce medical isotopes but does have a high density of regional and local particle accelerators (cyclotrons). We conclude that:
- the capacity for particle accelerators is comparable in the Netherlands and Denmark.
- there is no need for additional investment to reduce security of supply risks.
- overall cyclotron-based production of radioisotopes cannot fully replace the reactor-based production.