Technology Overview

Current production methods use uranium, but Perma-Fix Medical has developed a process using Mo-99, which is designed to improve safety and eliminate proliferation concerns. Medical uses require that Tc-99m be produced in a highly purified form. When produced from the decay of Mo-99, it is important to achieve a high degree of separation of the two elements in order to meet regulatory requirements. Given the short half-lives of Mo-99 (66 hours) and Tc-99m (6 hours) the logistical arrangements in the supply chain must move quickly to deliver a usable dose for medical applications.

Perma-Fix Medical proposes neutron capture production involving research reactors into the supply chain, which necessitates a new generator column resin composition.

The Process for producing Mo-99 for use in a chromatographic generator, starts with neutron capture of Mo-98 and loading of the subsequent Mo-99 on a column containing our proprietary ion-exchange material, Micro-Porous Composite Material (MPCM). The resulting column is then loaded in a Mo-99/Tc-99m generator and distributed. The ability to irradiate natural or enriched molybdenum allows the use of a research or commercial reactor vs. using enriched uranium in one of the five existing research reactors.

Perma-Fix Medical’s proprietary MPCM meets established performance criteria and demonstrates both high absorptive capacity for molybdenum and high Tc-99m recovery.

Our advanced MPCM resin uses generator designs similar to designs used in radio pharmacies today. These similarities will allow the Perma-Fix Medical process to be easily deployed without disrupting or modifying existing supply chain.