DOE hands out final cooperative agreement for Mo-99 production
The Department of Energy (DOE)’s National Nuclear Security Administration has issued a fourth, and final, cooperative agreement to Corvallis, Oregon-based Northwest Medical Isotopes, LLC for the production of molybdenum-99 (Mo-99).
In July, the DOE awarded cooperative agreements to three other U.S. companies: Niowave, Inc., located in Lansing, Michigan; NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes, LLC, located in Beloit, Wisconsin; and SHINE Medical Technologies, located in Janesville, Wisconsin.
All four companies will receive $15 million in funding, and requires the awardees provide a $15 million match. The ultimate goal of these agreements, part of the larger American Medical Isotopes Production Act of 2012, is to establish a reliable domestic supply of Mo-99.
“Mo-99 is a critical medical isotope that empowers us to fight back against heart disease and cancer,” said Lisa E. Gordon-Hagerty, DOE undersecretary for nuclear security and NNSA administrator, in a statement. “These agreements will facilitate its domestic production without highly enriched uranium, greatly reducing the potential for proliferation of nuclear materials.”
Matt joined Chicago’s TriMed team in 2018 covering all areas of health imaging after two years reporting on the hospital field. He holds a bachelor’s in English from UIC, and enjoys a good cup of coffee and an interesting documentary.