Development of fundamental technologies for domestic production of medical radioisotope (technetium-99m); The First and second phase report (FY2014-2020)

Project 6 Meeting Members for Tsukuba International Strategic Zone

In December 2011, the Prime Minister designated Tsukuba and some areas in Ibaraki Prefecture as "Comprehensive Special Zones". In the Tsukuba International Strategic Zone, nine advanced research and development (R&D) projects are underway with the goal of promoting industrialization of life innovation and green innovation utilizing the science and technology in Tsukuba. In these projects, the domestic production of medical radioisotope (Technetium-99m, Tc) was certified as a new project in October 2013, and R&D have been performed in collaboration with related organizations with Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) as the project leader. Japan is the third largest consumer of molybdenum-99 (Mo) after the United States and Europe, and all Mo are imported. Supply will be insufficient if overseas reactors are shut down due to trouble or if transportation (air and land transportations) is stopped due to volcanic eruptions and some accidents. Thus, early domestic production of Mo is strongly required. This project is a technology development aimed at domestic production of Mo, which is a raw material of Tc used as a diagnostic agent. This report summarizes the activities carried out in the first and second phase of the domestic production of medical radioisotope (Tc) (here referred to as the "Project 6") in Tsukuba International Strategic Zone (FY2014-2020).