High-quality therapeutic isotope production
In addition to its research work, SCK CEN is currently the world leader in irradiation, a key process in the production of radioisotopes for medical treatments such as cancer therapy and pain control.
The final piece of the commercial jigsaw
After years of research into isotope production, we know you do not want to fall at the hurdle of sourcing your isotope and ensuring delivery to market.
Thanks to our unique infrastructure and licences to handle a wide range of isotopes, we can produce a lot of radioisotopes and are investing to produce the most promising radioisotopes according to GMP standards.
That’s why currently up to 25% of all medical isotopes in the world are produced at SCK CEN. With SCK CEN, you can rely on a high-quality product and supply reliability that will give your radiopharmaceutical the highest chance of commercial success.
Talk to us about isotope production.
The expertise and infrastructure you need
Radioisotope production is a detailed and complex process. We have the unique infrastructure to guide you through the first two production steps.
Step 1: Irradiating raw material
With our BR2 research reactor, we have an unrivalled capacity to produce the isotopes you need. We are currently producing the following isotopes for various applications:
Medical imaging
- Molybdenum-99/technetium-99m - cardiology or oncology
Almost 7 million patients can undergo a medical examination thanks to the production of this radioisotope. SCK CEN is involved in the production of over 30% of the global demand. - Xenon-133 – lung scan
Cancer diagnosis
- Iridium-192 - brachytherapy
- Iodine-131 – thyroid cancer
- Yttrium-90 – liver cancer
- Lutetium-177 – prostate cancer
Other medical applications
- Erbium-169 – rheumatoid arthritis
- Samarium-153, strontium-89 of rhenium-188 – bone metastases
- Rhenium-186 – cardiac application
... and we are working on the breakthrough radioisotopes of the future
Step 2: Radiochemical isolation of desired radioisotope
Start your production journey of medical radioisotopes at our BR2 reactor and continue it with SCK CEN. In fact, with our brand-new CRF production facility, we can also guarantee the next step in the production process. This facility is currently under construction, with commissioning planned for 2027. We will then be ready to apply for all approvals and start regular production shortly afterwards. In doing so, the production focus will be first and foremost on lutetium-177. We are gradually building up to lutetium production for 15,000 patients in the short term and 100,000 patients in the long term. The facility will also be used to produce the next generation of promising radioisotopes that could treat cancer even more effectively.
Inspire confidence amongst investors and customers
As one of the world’s leading isotope irradiation facilities, and soon-to-be purification facility, SCK CEN is known for its quality – which in turn reflects on you and your contacts with investors and customers. Prove to investors and customers that you have access not only to high quality isotopes, but that you are working with a quality partner.