First Cyclotron removed from Seneffe Production Facility by SCK CEN

The cyclotron – weighing approximately 22 tonnes – was successfully removed by SCK CEN, a leader in nuclear safety and facility decommissioning. The cyclotron was extracted in one piece and will be further dismantled at SCK CEN’s site in Mol, Belgium. This approach is unique, even by international standards. Once the second cyclotron has been removed later this year, Telix will be able to formally commence the build-out of a new state-of-the-art facility for medical radioisotope production and drug product manufacturing.

"Thanks to a collaborative approach and significant local expertise, Telix will be able to move quickly on establishing the functionality of the Seneffe facility, which is good news for the industry and the local area in terms of employment, partnership opportunities, and economic development. The sooner Telix can start production, the sooner these important products can reach cancer patients," stated Michel Estas, decommissioning expert at SCK CEN.

Sébastien Linard de Guertechin, General Manager of the Seneffe Facility stated, “Telix is delighted to be working with SCK CEN for the decommissioning. Our close collaboration during the preparation phase confirmed our trust in SCK CEN as an exemplary and highly competent partner to complete such a decommissioning project. We are confident that the removal of this cyclotron will be safely and responsibly handled by SCK CEN. Technical support from Be.Sure, our radioprotection expert, was also a key element of this success.”

Telix Pharmaceuticals, headquartered in Australia with international operations in Belgium, Switzerland, Japan and the United States, acquired the Seneffe site in April 2020. The site is expected to serve as Telix’s primary European manufacturing site.