June 8, 2010 - Since August of 2009, Lantheus Medical Imaging has been exploring options to obtain additional molybdenum (Mo-99), which is used to make technetium-99m, an radioisotope used in nuclear medicine imaging.
Yesterday, the company announced it received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for new sources of a widely used diagnostic isotope. The company will begin receiving Mo-99 from the Institute for Radioelements in Fleurus, Belgium, and the Nuclear Research Institute in Rez, Czech Republic.
A company spokesperson said the approvals could play a significant role in meeting demand for the diagnostic in the coming months, when many reactors that produce Mo-99 are expected to be down for repairs or routine maintenance.
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