Radiochemistry and Cyclotron Equipment

Radiochemistry Facility

Equipped with 14 hot-cells (nine for research and five for GMP manufacture), automated synthesisers, and radio-analytical equipment, the Radiochemistry Facility supports research, development and GMP manufacture of novel and established radiopharmaceuticals. Further capabilities include radiolabelling and automation optimisation to support commercial development

The Radiochemistry Facility has separate laboratories for quality control, research, development and GMP activities. The GMP laboratory is a clean-room that can meet EN/ISO 14644-1 standards and manufacture license requirements of the Therapeutic Goods Administration

A wide range of radioisotopes are handles within the Radiochemistry Facility including carbon-11, fluorine-18, copper-64, gallium-68, zirconium-89, technetium-99m and lutetium-177.

Applications of these radioisotopes include:

Development of novel PET and SPECT diagnostics for application in neurology and oncology:
- Labelling small molecules – fluorine-18 and carbon-11
- Labelling peptides – fluorine-18, gallium-68, copper-64, technetium-99
- Large molecules (antibodies, particles) – zirconium-89, iodine-124
Utilisation of labelling to facilitate therapeutic drug development:
- fluorine-18 and carbon-11 for small molecules
- zirconium-89, iodine-124 for large molecules
Development of novel radiotherapeutics lutetium-177 and copper-67 labelled biomolecules

Cyclone 18 Twin Cyclotron

Radioisotopes are produced in-house using the Centre’s cyclotron, an IBA Cyclone 18 Twin dual ion source cyclotron, which accelerates negatively charged hydrogen ions to a fixed energy forming 18 MeV protons.

A feature of the cyclotron is the capability of irradiating solution, gas and solid targets, which allows for preparing a greater range of radioisotopes. The facility is able to manufacture shortlived radioisotopes such as [11C]carbon (half-life = 20 minutes) for immediate use within the Centre’s Radiochemistry Facility, eliminating excessive radioactive decay through transport.

The cyclotron is currently equipped with targets to produce the following radioisotopes:

[18F]Fluorine – as aqueous fluoride
[11C]Carbon – as carbon dioxide gas
[124I]Iodine – on solid matrix

The cyclotron’s solid target station may also be used to produce other radioisotopes such as [64Cu]copper and for research involving proton irradiation of various materials