Framatome and Romanian nuclear utility SN Nuclearelectrica (SNN) have signed a long-term cooperation agreement to produce medical isotope Lutetium-177 (Lu-177) at the Cernavoda NPP. Lutetium-177 will be produced using Framatome technology.
Earlier this year, the two companies announced the successful completion of a joint feasibility study which demonstrated the suitability of Framatome technology to irradiate Ytterbium-176 at Unit 2 of the Cernavoda nuclear power plant, at the market technical standard required to produce Lutetium-based radiopharmaceuticals. Framatome and SNN are now progressing with the detailed engineering and industrialisation phase, targeting first production batches for radiopharmaceuticals manufacturing in 2028. The project also aims to secure an adequate supply of Lu-177 to meet Romania’s domestic needs for the production and supply of radiopharmaceuticals.
“Nuclear technologies play a crucial role in modern healthcare. They are essential in the fight against cancer and Framatome has a long-standing presence in the field of healthcare,” said Bernard Fontana, CEO of Framatome. “Nuclearelectrica’s involvement in this large-scale project brings Romania into the elite of the global nuclear industry, concerned not only with clean energy production, but also with innovative health solutions,” said the Head of the Romanian Prime Minister’s Chancellery, Alexandru-Mihai Ghigiu.
Romania’s Health Minister Professor Alexandru Rafila noted that Romania is taking an important step towards the development of nuclear medicine and ensuring patient access to advanced cancer treatments. “This project reflects Romania’s commitment to support research and innovation in the field of applied medical technologies, strengthening our ability to respond to national and regional needs for radioisotopes. At a time of increasing global demand for such resources, it is essential that Romania contributes to the development and diversification of these vital solutions for patients.”
French Ambassador to Romania Nicolas Warnery said the collaboration on Lutetium-177 “marks a significant achievement, reflecting our two countries’ commitment to working together to foster European self-sufficiency in radioisotopes”.
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. The isotope destroys cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unaffected. Framatome’s proprietary isotope production technology enabled the first large-scale commercial production of Lu-177 in a power reactor in June 2022.
