Janesville, Wisconsin-based Shine Medical Technologies is planning to open a new molybdenum-99 production plant in Europe.
Founder and CEO Greg Piefer made the announcement during a recent Wisconsin Technology Council luncheon in Madison, Wisconsin Business News reported on Feb. 26. The radioisotope producer also hinted at pursuing an additional Mo-99 plant in China.
The global supply of the Mo-99—which is used in many cancer imaging exams—has been on the decline for some time. The last manufacturer of the material in the Western Hemisphere shut down in 2016, and Europe currently stands as the largest producer of this vital radioisotope. Companies such as Shine and NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes are in the process of constructing U.S.-based facilities and are expected to be completed in the near future.
“The current supply chain sucks,” Piefer said during the luncheon. “The patient is not being denied a test—they’re being given ultrasound or some other alternative test that’s less effective—and so they don’t really know they’re being mistreated in a way if there’s a shortage.”
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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.