WCI Report on 2016 China-Japan-Korea Meeting

1. Report on the 2016 China-JapanKorea Meeting - Keynote speech: Role of CJK in setting up stable RI supply system - Presentations on current status of RI production and use in China, Japan, & Korea

2016 February Vol.5 - Issue 2

01 2016 CJK Meeting Report

02 Sketches from the Secretariat

14p

03 Introduction to New Members

14p

04 My Biz on Isotopes

15p

05 Future Conferences

17p

06 Isotope-related News Van Zyl de Villiers Nigel Stevenson Timothy Payne Applications Richard Baum Carlo R. Chemaly Henri Bonet Woo-Geun Song

20p

President Chair, Industrial Application Chair, Environmental Chair, Medical Applications Chair, Publication Chair, Education and Training Director of Secretariat

18F Seoul Forest IT Valley 77 Seongsuil-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, Korea TEL : +82-2-3490-7141 EmailWORLD : Secretary@wci-ici.org COUNCIL ON ISOTOPES www.wci-ici.org

The 2016 China-Japan-Korea (CJK) Meeting 1 took place on January 21-22, in Seoul, Korea. Since it was first held in 2003 with a purpose of fostering communication and cooperation among the three countries, it has provided the opportunity for those countries to discuss and exchange on radiation technology and radioisotopes. During the 2016 CJK Meeting, several issues were discussed including the status of RI production and applications in each country, policies, national plan, etc <To see the presentation materials, please visit http://wciici.org/publications/sub02_01>

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CJK Meeting is a non-governmental forum for communication, networking, exchange and cooperation for three countries and is held biannually.

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<Keynote speech> Role of CJK in Setting up Stable RI Supply System

Jong Kyung KIM, President Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute The global radioisotope (RI) market has shown

the supply of this most widely used medical RI

progressive growth, with expectations to reach

would become from 2016 onwards not only

8 billion USD in 2017. Among the whole RI

unstable but also insufficient. Major reactors

market, medical RIs account for about 80%. In

which account for 80 to 90% of global Mo-99

particular, Mo-99, the mother of Tc-99m, covers

supply are scheduled for decommissioning in

more than 80% of all medical RIs. The amount

the coming 10 years: the Canadian NRU

of the radiopharmaceutical products derived

reactor, the largest supplier at present, is

from the Mo-99/Tc-99m was 6.84 billion USD in

scheduled for decommissioning in March 2018;

2014. For the industrial RI sources, Co-60 and Ir-

OSIRIS was decommissioned in December 2015.

192 lead the market. Hojin Industrial Co. of

Conversion of the fission Mo-99 target from

Korea holds 15% of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ir-192 market.

highly enriched uranium (HEU) to low enriched uranium (LEU) is expected to completed by

Presently, RI suppliers and stakeholders have

2018 leading to a further 10% decrease in the

been mostly concentrated in Europe and North

overall Mo-99 production yield. It seems that

America. In contrast, contribution from Asia on

the world is facing an increased risk of another

the global RI market has been limited.

medical radioisotope crisis, unless new suppliers

The first sign for the dramatic change of the

dive

global RI supply system was the Mo-99 supply

organizations

crisis in 2009. The OECD NEA High-level Group

European Union, and their member states are

on

supporting

the

Security

of

Supply

of

Medical

into

market.

such

as

the

Radioisotopes (HLG-MR) expected that unless

radioisotopes.

new suppliers emerge on the Mo-99 market,

countries

WORLD COUNCIL ON ISOTOPES

the

are

stable Under

the supply

this

International IAEA, of

OECD, medical

situation,

establishing

new

many Mo-99 2

production infrastructures such as research

project. This number is to compare with the

reactors, accelerators, and production facilities.

annual increase of 5.8% from other nuclear R&D.

Over the years, the Korean government has

Korea was historically highly dependent on an

strongly driven the promotion of the radiation /

imported supply of medical RIs. This has been

radioisotope industries, which are relatively

changed through the establishment, across the

underdeveloped

nuclear

nation, of RI and RT clusters specialized

Comprehensive

according to utilizations: Daejeon with a multi-

power

compared

industries.

The

first

with

Radiation and RI Promotion Plan (CRRPP) was

purpose

launched

radiation

Gyeongju with a proton accelerator (KOMAC),

technology as one of the major industries. The

and Seoul and Jeongeup with Cyclotrons. In

third CRRPP spanning from 2012 to 2016 is

addition, the new Korean research reactor

focusing

priorities:

KJRR, scheduled to be built by 2019 in Busan,

policy,

will be responsible for RI production and

establishment of the infrastructure and human

applications. The construction of the KJRR with

resources, devotion of radiation technology (RT)

a medical RI production facility aims to

for therapeutics, and the creation of a new

achieve two major objective: increasing self-

frontier using interdisciplinary technology. In

sufficiency of RIs, and providing a stable supply

2013,

of RIs for the global market.

in

on

strengthening

the

2002

to

promote

the

following

the

promotion

Radiation

Technology-based

research

reactor

(HANARO),

Creative Economy Action Plan was established to achieve the following quantitative goals:

The

establishment

of

this

increasing number of RI / RT companies from

expected to generate major changes or even

32,000 to 37,000, sales of the domestic RI / RT

quantum leaps in the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s RI production

industry from 4.3 to 6.9 billion USD, and the self-

capability. This has occurred in the past with

sufficiency rate of RI / RT products from 20.8 to

Koreaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

35%.

research reactors, TRIGA Mark II, III, and

already-established

HANARO:

the

production

infrastructure

three of

I-131

is

major was

R&D investment from the Korean Ministry of

multiplied by 10 when HANARO was put into

Science, ICT, and Future Planning (MSIP) has

operation in addition to TRIGA Mark III. The

rapidly increased for the past 10 years. It

upcoming operation of KJRR is expected to

showed 18.6% annual growth on average,

multiply the national production of Mo-99 by a

excluding the Ki-Jang Research Reactor (KJRR)

factor 500.

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Now, the establishment of a cooperative Until recently, the major RI stakeholders were

framework is required between the three

essentially in Europe and North America with

countries.

significant influence on the supply of RI from

infrastructure of each country, cooperation

South America, South Africa, and Australia. The

among

contribution of Asia was relatively limited. Yet,

development of RI industries. First, a stable RI

considering the economy and populations, the

supply system can be organized by sharing the

role of Asian countries should be reinforced

infrastructure

and reestablished. In the specific case of

advanced technology for RT and RI can be

China, Japan and Korea, the infrastructure for

developed

RIs is already cultivated and established with

network.

research

China

professional skills can be cultivated through

(including CARR, SPRR, and HFETR) 4 in Japan

cooperative programs. CJK have sufficient

(including JMTR and JRR-3M). In this sense, CJK

potential to become global leaders in RI

is expected to overcome the impact from the

industries by making significant contributions on

Fukushima accidents and to continue the safe

the stable RI supply chain. Asia can then

resumption of research reactors.

become one of the major centers worldwide

reactors

close

to

20

in

Based CJK

on

will

for

bring

RI

through Finally,

the

well-established about

production. a

further

Second,

cooperative

human

resources

R&D with

for global RI research and supply.

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Current status and issues on RI production and use <CHINA> Current Status on Isotope and Radiation Application in China Presented by Zhang Jinrong, Vice-President (CIRA)

Since the 1950s, China has increasingly been adopting and using RI and RT, moving it from laboratory to industrialization. China has 60,000 units of relevant sources, 100,000 radioactive sources in use, 120,000 waste radioactive sources, 130 industrial radiation facilities and 400 industrial radiation accelerators. The supply of main medical isotopes products are 18F-FDG, 99Mo-Tc Generator, 131I oral solution, 89SrCl2 injection, 125I-seeds, 14C-Urea breath test, and 13CUrea breath test. Nuclear imaging equipment include 270 PET and / or PET-CTs, 123 Cyclotrons, 340 SPECTs, 215 SPECT/CTs, 78 Gamma cameras. In addition, one should mention 350 gamma knives at more than 200 hospitals and 100 sets of 60Co teletherapeutic apparatus. In addition to the 2,500 sets for NDT, there is also a wide range of uses for industry such as smoke detectors, static eliminators, thickness gauging sources, low energy photon sources, radiography sources, neutron sources, etc. Customs inspection further makes use of Cobalt-60 dual-view 3D virtual imaging detection of large objects technology. More than 200,000 metric tons of food are irradiated yearly in. The CARR (China Advanced Research Reactor) is expected to resume operation shortly while CMRR (China Multi-function Research Reactor), New Research Reactor (CENTER), and HI-13 Tandem Accelerator Upgrading Project are under construction for specific radioisotopes productions. The Atomic Energy Act and the Nuclear Safety Act are drafted and listed in legislative plan of the State Council, due to nuclear technology and application development.

Current Status and Prospects of Radiopharmaceuticals in China Presented by Jin Du (CIRA) Radiopharmaceuticals have been served as effective diagnostic and therapeutic tools in human diseases. Combined with PET and SPECT modalities, they could provide new methods and new approaches of truly early diagnosis and therapy at the molecular level, and possible pathways for preventive, translational and personalized medicine. The overview of the current status and some WORLD COUNCIL ON ISOTOPES

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important advances of radiopharmaceuticals in China for clinical applications are presented.

Developments of the diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals are being introduced; examples include brain perfusion imaging agents and CNS radiotracers for beta-amyloid plaques and dopamine receptors, 99mTc- and 18F-labeled myocardial perfusion imaging agents, 99mTc-, 18F- and 68Ga-labeled peptides for tumor imaging, potential infection imaging agents and other imaging agents, and therapeutic agents. Moreover, some prospects are under discussion for research and development of radiopharmaceuticals in near future.

Status and Plan on Radioisotope Research and Production Facilities in China Presented by Guo Lili (CIRA) Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s has a long history of research reactors as HWRR (Heavy Water Research Reactor) was established and put in operation in September 1958 while SPR (Swimming Pool Reactor)reached criticality in December 1964. With the development of nuclear technology, the National Nuclear Safety Administration was founded in 1984. The first regulation of research reactor was released in 1986. Since 2014, China has 20 research reactors in operation. SPRR shutdown and applied for lifetime extension in 2010, and resumed operation in 2012 for 5 years. HFETR (High Flux Engineering Test Reactor) also received a license for lifetime extension in 2010 and resumed operation for 5 years in 2011. CARR reached the first criticality in May 2010, was put into power operation in 2013, and stopped operation temporarily for several months in 2015 for installation and commission of one system. Construction of CMRR (China Mianyang Research Reactor) was completed in 2014.

The research and production buildings have been set up and prepared to produce many kinds of radioisotopes but the final production plan is still pending.

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<JAPAN> Current Status

of

JRIA

â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Supply of

Radioisotopes,

Waste

Management and Education Presented by Takashi Yamashita M.D.PhD, Kaoru Hosonuma, and Saori Namai (JRIA) The amount of RI supplied in Japan remained constant for seven years. Most RIs are cobalt-60. In recent years the radio labeling method has gradually been replacing the fluorescent labeling method leading to a decrease of the use of Carbon-14, tritium, sulfur, and phosphorus. A total of 8,000 units of 200-liters containers of radioisotope waste was collected in Fiscal Year 2014 . As part of its educational activities, JRIA took part in itinerant information sessions held by Fukushima Medical University on thyroid gland function testing. JRIA handed out English-version DVDs and related text materials that could be used for educational purpose to explain how radiation affects the human body.

Plan for Construction of New JRIA Kawasaki Research Center at King Skyfront Presented by Shoji Futatsukawa PhD (JRIA) The Head Office of JRIA has been based since in 1951 in Tokyoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Komagome which has also served as a residential area for 65 years. For obvious reasons, radiation facilities must therefore be built on a different site. In this sense, Kawasaki Research Center Radiation Laboratory will be built at King Skyfront, a centrally located metropolitan site providing excellent transportation access to and within the country (about 90 minutes away from the Komagome Head Office by train and only 10 minutes from Haneda Airport by car). The main radiation facilities presently in Komagome will also move to King Skyfront. The main activities of the Kawasaki Research Center will include manufacturing and quality inspection of radioactive sources, supply of radioisotopes, radioactive sources, calibration service for dosimetry, research, development of radioisotopes, and so on.

Actual operations will commence at the beginning of 2018.

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Current Plans for Accelerator-based Production of 99Mo in Japan Presented by Takashi Yamashita M.D.PhD (JRIA) JRIA is planning to produce RI, especially Mo-99, by means of accelerator production.

There are two ways to proceed, as follows: 1. 100Mo (γ, n) 99Mo: Photon-neutron reaction by 20～40 MeV electron using Linear Accelerator 2. 100Mo (n, 2n) 99Mo: Nuclear spallation reaction by 30～50 MeV proton using Cyclotron Accelerator Over the past several years, no significant or long-term shortages occurred in Japan despite several outages in major production facilities worldwide.

This is due to: 

Better information sharing and coordination throughout the global 99Mo supply chain from uranium procurement for targets to patient delivery, allowing to identify potential points of failure and short-term vulnerabilities and to address such issues through collaboration,



Progressive implementation by HLG-MR members of the policy principles that were agreed upon through the Joint Declaration; such principles include encouraging diversity and new sources of of 99Mo/99mTc to help ensure long-term, stable and reliable supply of radioisotopes,



Two complete self-assessments allowing to coordinate and assess progression of supply chain participants towards the abovementioned policy principles. .

R&D on separation, concentration and recovery of 99mTc from 99Mo for commercial production Presented by Takayuki Siina (CTC) Chiyoda Technol Corporation (CTC) has carried out research and development (R&D) for the domestic production of 99mTc in cooperation with the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) and FUJIFILM RI Pharma Co., Ltd. to ensure a constant and reliable supply. According to statistical data

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reported by the Japan Radioisotope Association (JRIA) in 2014, 99mTc injections (99mTc labeled pharmaceuticals) and the 99Mo/99mTc generator continue to account for approximately 80% of the entire in-vivo supply in Japan. Furthermore, the amount of 99mTc injection supplies is approximately four times larger than that of the 99Mo/99Tc generator.

Therefore, in order to meet the domestic demand for 99mTc, CTC is developing a plan to reliably and regularly produce 99mTc from 99Mo through the 98Mo (n, gamma) reaction (using the JTMR Japan Materials Testing Reactor) and / or through the 100Mo (n, 2n) reaction (using new cyclotrons). These production methods of 99Mo were also selected for reasons of safety, nuclear proliferation, resistance, and waste management.

However, as these two methods generate 99Mo with low specific activity (in comparison to that of 99Mo (n, f)), it is essential improved techniques are developed for separation, concentration, and recovery of 99mTc. To date, two novel methods have been developed and are under review for the production 99mTc: a wet method using solvent extraction and a dry method using sublimation.

The 99mTc separated from 99Mo can be further purified and concentrated using alumina, with a good recovery yield. A high quality 99mTc solution was obtained from both separation methods.

One advantage of the wet method is that it uses large quantities of natural MoO3 pellets, up to 500g. On the other hand, the dry method yields a high quality 99mTc solution.

The aim is to provide in the future 100-200 6-day Ci per week at the end of irradiation, using JMTR and cyclotrons; this amounts to roughly 20% of domestic demand for 99Mo. Further studies will be carried out for the commercial production of 99mTc.

<KOREA> Current status and issues of RI production and use in Korea Presented by Prof. Jai-Ki Lee (KARA)

In 2014, 6,612 firms and organizations in Korea were involved in the radiation industry. Industries account for the major part of this figure (76%); the remainder is consists of education and research institutes (20%), medical institutes (3%) and military (1%). The import of RI in Korea was stable and saturated in the field of medicine, decreasing in the field of industry and increasing for education WORLD COUNCIL ON ISOTOPES

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and research purposes. The RI manufacturing business is dominated by medical institutes operating cyclotrons to produce 18FDG (over 80%). Other than F-18, accelerator-produced radionuclides include C-11, Cu-64, I-123,124, and TI-201. The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) produces radioisotopes such as Ag-110m, Au-198, Co-60, I-131, Ir-192, and Sc-46 using the HANARO Research Reactor. Domestic production in terms of radioactivity is also largely saturated due to limited capacity of the existing facilities. Some firms import nuclides such as C-14, I-125, 131, Mo-99/Tc-99m, and Ir-192 in the form of raw material to be processed for the manufacture of finished products. Currently, only a small part of the products is exported. The number of radiation workers in Korea has now clearly passed the 100.000 mark with the latest reported figures subdivide them into those working in diagnostic radiology (65,932 in 2013) and those in other fields (42,090 in 2014).

The Korean Governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s policy addresses promotion of radiation applications. Its basic frame is the Creative Economy action plan covering the 2013 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2017 period. The action plan has the following objectives: -

to create new industries with radiation fusion technology,

-

to cultivate radiation device makers to be hidden champions,

-

to enhance production capacity with a new reactor,

-

to strengthen infrastructures for radiation technology (RT).

The major existing facilities in operation in Korea include, essentially but not exclusively: -

the HANARO research reactor,

-

Pohang light source (PLS, a synchrotron),

-

Dongnam Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences,

-

Proton Accelerator Research Center.

Korea will add new RT facilities and/or centers in coming years; plans include: -

a new reactor, (see detail below)

-

a heavy ion medical accelerator,

-

a radiation instrument FAB,

-

a radiopharmaceutical platform, (see detail below)

-

a large-scale e-beam facility,

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-

a RI-biomics center for new drug evaluation,

-

a high energy heavy ion accelerator,

-

a RT information system,

-

a training center for skilled manpower.

KARA is supporting the Government in preparing the promotion plans for the next period.

One must not forget the issue of public perception on radiation risk. Examples exist in Korea demonstrating the over-concern of radiation experienced, particularly since the Fukushima accident in 2011. It is therefore important that the public has a correct understanding of radiation exposure and associated risk. Over-concerns due to a mis-understanding by the public threaten the future of beneficial uses of radiation and radioisotopes. Making the public understand the true nature of radiation risk is therefore an important responsibility of the RT community at large, not only of the nuclear energy community.

Progress on Ki-Jang Research Reactor and Future Plan Presented by Dr. Kye Hong Lee (KAERI) A new dedicated isotope production reactor, Ki-Jang Research Reactor (KJRR) will be built in KiJang, Busan as a demonstration facility for the new type of research reactor. After the demonstration, it will have fission moly capacity and will be operated as the main reactor for production of radionuclides, aiming to become the ―Heart of the World RI Supplier‖.

Currently in Korea, the two existing research reactors in operation are sharing roles: HANARO is serving for national research and irradiation service and AGN-201K is for training and education.

That said, HANARO is also used for the education of students for utilization technique and conversely, AGN-201K is expanding its capability as a research tool. The introduction of KJRR will change the existing roles as: KJRR will take the lead for services and activities related to RI production and NTD service whereas HANARO’s main responsibility will be R&D on neutron beam utilization and fuel/material irradiation. The installation of thermal guides and relevant scattering instruments is expected to start in 2019. Considering the use of scattering instruments by industries is increasing, the beam instruments dedicated for private companies could be pursued at that time.

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The KJRR project will carry out LEU-Mo fuel qualification and get the reactor operation license approved in 2018; full power is expected to be reached in 2019 and Mo-99 production early 2020.

Dr. Han-Ki Jang of KARA introduced the â&#x20AC;&#x2022;Quality Assurance Center for Medical Radiationâ&#x20AC;&#x2013;. This center will be completed in 2019 and will serve to (i) disseminate measurement standards for medical radiation dosimetry traceable to the National Metrology Institute, and (ii) enhance reliability for measurement of radiation in medicine. He also introduced the Accredited Testing Center for Radiation Devices, which will be established by 2020 to lead the system for performance evaluation of radiation devices in Korea. KARA is designated as the responsible organization for these two centers.

Introduction to the Korea Drug Development Platform Dr. Jae Hoon Shim of KIRAMS The Platform project was initiated by the Korean Government in 2014 to support drug development

using

radioisotopes

for

pharmaceutical

industry

and

therapeutic

radiopharmaceuticals R&D activities. The construction of the platform will be completed by 2017 and

will

provide

Good

Manufacturing/Laboratory/Clinical

Practices

and

Molecular

Imaging/Analysis Services for researchers and industries.

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2. Sketches from the Secretariat Research fund awarded to WCI Secretariat by Korean government The World Council on Isotopes secured funding of 800 million KRW (approx. 650,000 USD) from the government of South Korea for a three-year project. 25% of the budget is earmarked for 2016; the remainder will be split evenly between 2017 and 2018. This enables the secretariat to continue our cooperative services for members. The goal of this new project is to establish global information network and facilitate international cooperation with our members and other organizations. It aims to enhance the sharing of information on peaceful uses of isotope technologies among WCI members, reinforce cooperation with other relevant international organizations, and bolster education and training in the field of radiation and radioisotopes and to strengthen functions of the WCI secretariat.

3. Introduction to New Member NRG (https://www.nrg.eu) NRG is an internationally-operating nuclear service provider and operates the High Flux Reactor (HFR) in Petten, the Netherlands. The company is a world market leader in the production of medical and industrial isotopes. NRG has long existing partnerships for the supply of technetium-99m, lutetium-177, phosphorus-32, iridium-192, samarium153 and strontium-89 but also develops new radio-isotopes for therapeutic and diagnostic applications. In addition NRG conducts nuclear technological research, is a consultant on the safety and reliability of nuclear installations and provides services related to radiation protection.

The company has around 500 world-class employees with high quality know-how and works for and with partners in healthcare, the energy market, industry, government and science.

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4. My Biz on Isotopes Call for Articles As the WCI monthly newsletter is the most important communication channel for the dissemination of information to members and other interested parties, we would like to add a new section ―‘My Biz on Isotopes’ to our newsletter. This new section will be dealing with business opportunities in the field of isotope related technologies.

1. Purpose The purpose of this section is to foster communication and to provide members with opportunities to raise their organization’s profile.

2. Requirements The article provider should be a member of the WCI. (To join us, please visit www.wci-ici.org and sign up online. There is no membership fee.) The writer should be a professional working in the field of isotope production or the application of isotopes or radiation.

3. Contents Article may include topics that demonstrate the cross-cutting and interdisciplinary technologies of your organization. Topics and areas of contents may include but are not limited to: •

Short introduction of your organization (status, field of business, location)

•

Advantages/Strength of your technology

•

Future plans of your organization

•

Other topics of relevance, e.g. interest in collaboration or joint research, joint investment, or technology transfer.

4. Format 

All articles should be written in English.



The length of article should be within 4 pages (A4, Verdana with 10 font size and 1.5 line

WORLD COUNCIL ON ISOTOPES

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spacing). ď&#x201A;ˇ

Images may be included.

All submissions meeting the above requirements should be submitted to secretary@wci-ici.org.

5. Deadline Articles that are received by the WCI Secretariat via email by the 10th of the month will be considered for the next monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newsletter.

6. Others The WCI Publication Committee Chair will review articles for possible inclusion in our newsletter.

Articles might be edited according to our own format. The WCI Secretariat will not make any payment for submitted articles.

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5. Future Conferences International Conference on Effective Nuclear Regulatory Systems: Sustaining Improvements Globally

• Date: April 11-15, 2016 • Venue: Vienna, AUSTRIA • Website: http://www-pub.iaea.org/iaeameetings/50799/International-Conference-on-EffectiveNuclear-Regulatory-Systems-Sustaining-Improvements-Globally This conference is being organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and will be the fourth in a series of conferences on Effective Nuclear Regulatory Systems. Building on the conclusions and deliberations the three preceding conferences (Ottawa 2013, Cape Town 2009 and Moscow 2006), the present event, to be held in April 2016, will play a vital part in the global efforts by senior nuclear safety and nuclear security regulators to review issues that are important to the global nuclear regulatory community, and will focus, in particular, on their key role in ensuring safety and security.

Annual Meeting of Australian and New Zealand Society of Nuclear Medicine (ANZSNM 2016)

• Date: April 22-25, 2016 • Venue: Rotorua, NEW ZEALAND • Website: http://www.anzsnm2016.com The scientific program has been designed to present the latest findings in Australasian research and to engage participants in practical workshops that have broad appeal. The invited speakers will focus on the theme: ―Hot Science: An Eruption of Isotopes‖ and a subtheme on quantitative nuclear medicine, WORLD COUNCIL ON ISOTOPES

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delivering evolving ideas on the science and clinical application of new isotopes and radiopharmaceuticals.

14th International Congress of the International Radiation Protection Association

• Date: May 9-13, 2016 • Venue: Cape Town, SOUTH AFRICA • Website: http://www.irpa2016capetown.org.za/ The 14th Congress of the International Radiation Protection Association will be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, South Africa between 9 – 13 May 2016.

The theme of the Congress is "Practising Radiation Protection: Sharing the Experience and New Challenges".

The Congress will feature a comprehensive scientific and technical program covering all aspects of radiation protection, all-round technical exhibition and technical visits program, and a versatile selection of Refresher Courses

4th International Conference on Radiation and Applications in Various Fields of Research (RAD 2016)

• Date: May 23-27, 2016 • Venue: Niš, SERBIA • Website: http://www.rad-conference.org/welcome.php The aim of the Conference is to provide a forum for researchers and professionals from various fields of

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biology, chemistry, physics, medicine, environmental protection, electronics, etc, involved with ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, as well as other areas connected to them, to exchange and discuss their findings and experiences. The Conference program includes topical invited lectures, a limited number of oral presentations, and poster presentations. The official language of the Conference is English.

16th International Workshop on Targetry and Target Chemistry (WTTC16)

• Date: August 29-September 1, 2016 • Venue: Santa Fe (NM), USA • Website: http://www.wttc16.us/ The 16th International Workshop on Targetry and Target Chemistry (WTTC16) will be held in Santa Fe, New Mexico, August 29st – September 1st of 2016. The Department of Energy's National Isotope Program and Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) Chemistry Division will act as technical hosts for the gathering of international experts to participate in a uniquely collaborative workshop format.

The WTTC16 will emphasize student contributions and a collaborative, discussion-oriented format, in keeping with the history of the Workshop series.

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6. Isotope-related News Latvia, Lithuania eager to buy radioisotopes for cancer diagnosis from Belarus 4 February (BelTA) – Latvia and Lithuania have plans to buy radioactive isotopes for cancer diagnosis from Belarus, Oleg Sukonko, the director of the Alexandrov National Cancer Center of Belarus, told journalists on 4 February at a press conference held to mark World Cancer Day, BelTA has learned.

“We are currently in talks with Latvia and Lithuania over the possibility of supplying radioisotopes produced in our cyclotron in Borovlyany. The procedure is as follows: a reactor generates an isotope that lives for two hours. Later the packaging lab incorporates the isotope into a glucose molecule.

Since all cancer cells nourish themselves with glucose, special equipment tracks the isotopes injected into a patient's body and locates active cancer cells,” Oleg Sukonko explained.

According to him, Vilnius and Kaunas have long had devices for fixing short-lived isotopes. But they are not equipped to produce isotopes themselves. "They do not have a cyclotron to generate isotopes or a packaging lab. They buy isotopes in Germany and Poland at the price of about €1,000 per dose and deliver them by plane. A dose of the isotopes made in Belarus is €800. I think we will soon come to an arrangement with the Lithuanian and Latvian partners, including in terms of the price, and start cooperation,” said Oleg Sukonko.

He added that in the future the Belarusian cyclotron will be able to produce 8 kinds of isotopes. “The equipment in Belarus is unique, last generation. The quality of the isotopes is even better than in Poland or Germany. I believe that in this area we will be able to earn handsomely and develop beneficial cooperation with our neighbors,” Oleg Sukonko added.

Source: Belarusian Telegraph Agency (Belarus News) Read full text at: http://eng.belta.by/society/view/latvia-lithuania-eager-to-buy-radioisotopes-forcancer-diagnosis-from-belarus-88735-2016/ To Contents

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