NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes, based in Madison, Wis., announced a non-exclusive letter of intent yesterday with major radiopharmacy chain Triad Isotopes in an effort to provide a U.S. source of molybdenum-99 (Mo-99), which decays to produce technetium-99m (Tc-99m), used in the lion's share of nuclear medicine procedures.

The two companies aim to procure non-uranium-based Mo-99 from the proprietary RadioGenix isotope separation system. Once approved by the FDA, the products will be acquired and then leased by Triad Isotopes. The deal is in line not only with the U.S. Department of Energy's goal of achieving domestic supply of Mo-99, but also the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Global Threat Reduction Initiative for the reduction of highly enriched uranium sources.

“Our goal since the inception of NorthStar has been to alleviate the chronic shortage of vital medical radioisotopes and, ultimately, improve patient care." NorthStar President and Chief Executive Officer George P. Messina said in an official statement. "This agreement with Triad Isotopes is validation of that effort. The team at Triad clearly understands the game-changing impact of our Non-HEU process and its benign waste stream on the market. They showed early interest in our products and technology and helped us refine and improve the system. We look forward to continuing our work with them as we navigate the approval process.”

The majority of Mo-99 still comes from HEU sources around the world that are vulnerable to shutdowns and maintenance due to age, which has led to shortages from year to year. NorthStar is calling the RadioGenix the "the first true technological breakthrough in Mo-99/Tc-99m systems in nearly 45 years."

Triad leads the second-largest radiopharmacy chain across the U.S., including 60 facilities providing custom unit dose services, and plans to assist NorthStar in the evaluation of their technology as it develops.

“Understanding the national security significance of this effort, Triad Isotopes has worked closely with NorthStar to help test and review its efforts,” said Kerry Gillespie, Triad Isotopes president, in the press reelase. “We are optimistic about the potential of this new technology as a means to address the need to establish a domestic source of molybdenum-99 by 2016. NorthStar has been innovative and relentless in addressing that need.”