NRG and Curium Sign Multi-Year Isotope Production Contract

(Petten – August 17, 2022) – NRG and Curium have signed a multi-year contract for the production of molybdenum-99, the starting material for technetium-99m (Tc-99m). Tc-99m is the most used isotope in nuclear medicine for diagnosing life-threatening diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, lung and brain disorders and cancer. With this renewed collaboration 30,000 patients a day can continue to rely on the Petten nuclear medicine manufacturing capabilities.  

Every year, some 49 million treatments are carried out on patients with nuclear medicines, and Tc-99m is used in more than 80% of these examinations. Both NRG and Curium are market leaders and therefore important links in the supply chain of Tc-99m. NRG uses its High Flux Reactor (HFR) to produce the isotopes, which Curium then uses for its nuclear medicine products for the benefit of the  patients.   

Vinod Ramnandandal, CCO NRG PALLAS commented: “With this renewed collaboration  we are taking a big step towards meeting the continuing demand and confirming our ongoing partnership. This is also particularly good news for the doctors and patients who need the isotopes. » 

Frank de Lange, Managing Director Curium Netherlands commented: “ This multi-year agreement confirms our commitment to doctors and patients worldwide building on our trusted legacy in nuclear medicine.”  

About Curium 

Curium is the world’s largest nuclear medicine company. We develop, manufacture and distribute world-class radiopharmaceutical products to help patients around the globe. Our proven heritage combined with a pioneering approach are the hallmarks to deliver innovation, excellence and unparalleled service.  

With manufacturing facilities across Europe and the United States, Curium delivers SPECT, PET and therapeutic radiopharmaceutical solutions for life-threatening diseases to over 14 million patients annually. The name ‘Curium’ honors the legacy of pioneering radioactive materials researchers Marie and Pierre Curie, after whom the radioactive element curium was named and emphasizes our focus on nuclear medicine. 

About Curium in Petten 

The Curium site in Petten has been on the premises near the reactor since 1966, albeit under various previous company names, including Philips-Duphar, Mallinckrodt, Tyco and Covidien. 

Curium has raw materials irradiated in reactors and itself has two cyclotrons in Petten. In Curium’s laboratories, the radioisotopes created in the cyclotrons and reactors are shaped into pharmaceutical end products that can safely be administered to patients. The most important end product is the molybdenum-99/technetium-99m generator.  

Thousands of dispatches take place from Petten annually, by road as well as by air, to hospitals in – predominantly – Europe, and to bulk customers of pure raw materials. Over 350 people work for Curium in Petten. 

More about NRG|PALLAS 

NRG is a world leader when it comes to research into new nuclear technologies. In the HFR, NRG produces medical isotopes with which doctors all over the world diagnose and treat life-threatening diseases. Every day, 30,000 patients depend on medical isotopes from the Netherlands. To be able to secure delivery in the future, preparations are now underway for the construction of the PALLAS reactor. Since April 2020, the boards of directors and supervisory boards of NRG and the Foundation Preparation Pallas-reactor form a ‘personele unie’. The goal of the Foundation Preparation Pallas-reactor is to establish a state-of-the-art multifunctional reactor, designed for the production of (medical) isotopes and for research in nuclear technology. This reactor is intended to replace the existing High Flux Reactor (HFR) in Petten (NL). PALLAS was founded on 16 December 2013 with the goal of preparing a design, obtaining the necessary permits and organising financing for the construction and commissioning of the PALLAS reactor. From 2030, the PALLAS reactor will play a crucial role in the supply chain for radiopharmaceutical products worldwide and in nuclear technology research. Millions of people with cancer and cardiovascular disease can be diagnosed and treated with these radiopharmaceutical products. For more information www.nrg.eu www.pallasreactor.com