France’s Framatome and Romanian nuclear utility SN Nuclearelectrica SA (SNN) have announced the successful outcome of a feasibility study to assess the possibility of producing medical isotope lutetium-177 (Lu-177) at the Cernavoda NPP in Romania. Cernavoda 2 is a 650 MWe Candu 6 pressurised heavy water reactor by the Danube River, 160 kilometres east of Bucharest, which began commercial operation in 2007.
The two companies have now begun implementation of the project, including detailed engineering, procurement, installation and the commissioning of the irradiation system at unit 2 of the Cernavoda NPP. The launch of a full-scale commercial irradiation service for medical isotopes is targeted for 2028.
“We are proud to have reached this milestone with Nuclearelectrica and to take this important project on to the next phase. Bringing additional capacities from nuclear power reactors helps build a large scale, reliable and diversified supply of critical radioisotopes to fight cancer “, said François Gauché, VP Framatome Healthcare. “The demand for massively accessible cutting-edge cancer treatments globally is growing rapidly. The nuclear industry stands ready to play its part in strengthening the supply chain for lifesaving radioisotopes in Europe and across the world.”
The feasibility study was initiated in November 2023, based on Framatome’s isotope production technology. It assessed whether the infrastructure at Cernavoda could be used to convert targets into medical isotopes. The study demonstrated that by adapting Framatome’s technology to unit 2 of the Cernavoda plant, the reactor would be able to irradiate ytterbium-176 at the market technical standard required to produce lutetium-based radiopharmaceuticals.
The production of lutetium-177 marks a significant milestone for Romania and the global nuclear industry, said SNN CEO Cosmin Ghiță. Our role in supporting cutting-edge oncological treatments through nuclear medicine solidifies the role of nuclear energy in enhancing human well-being.”
This project also aims at securing an appropriate supply of Lu-177 to meet Romania’s domestic needs for radiopharmaceutical production and supply. Lu-177 is a beta-emitting radioisotope used in targeted radionuclide therapy for the treatment of prostate cancer and in multiple promising radiopharmaceutical developments for other cancer indications. Framatome’s proprietary isotope production technology enabled the first large-scale commercial production of Lu-177 in a power reactor in June 2022.
Framatome Healthcare, through its Isogen joint venture with Canada’s Kinectrics, is also collaborating with Bruce Power and ITM Isotope Technologies Munich SE, to produce Lu-177 at Bruce Power’s unit 7, which, like Cernavoda, is a Candu pressurised heavy water reactor.
