Latest news with #nuclearmedicine
Mail & Guardian
5 days ago
- Health
- Mail & Guardian
Pioneer in nuclear medicine: Prof Mike Sathekge receives honorary doctorate from NWU
Professor Machaba Michael 'Mike' Sathekge. South Africa should invest more in nuclear research if it wishes to remain globally competitive and fulfil its responsibility to meet the diverse needs of its communities. This was Professor Machaba Michael 'Mike' Sathekge's message when he received his honorary doctorate in Pharmaceutical Sciences (Philosophiae Doctor, Honoris Causa) from the North-West University (NWU) on Wednesday, 4 June. He emphasised that the wide-ranging benefits of nuclear research in areas such as medical science, energy production, agriculture, food security and environmental sciences should be regarded as a national priority. And he would know. A towering figure at the forefront of nuclear medicine, Prof Sathekge's career has reshaped the clinical and research landscape of cancer and infectious disease treatment in South Africa and beyond. His contributions are both technical triumphs and deeply human victories. Prof Sathekge was raised in Tembisa and later became a standout scholar in Soshanguve, where he achieved the best national results in mathematics. He trained as a medical doctor at Medunsa. He also earned his master's degree there and began his career in nuclear medicine. A scholarship then took him to Belgium, where he obtained a PhD in molecular imaging in TB and HIV. On returning home, he became Head of Nuclear Medicine at the University of Pretoria and Steve Biko Academic Hospital. Under his leadership, a number of firsts have been achieved, including pioneering the use of Selective Internal Radiation Therapy for liver cancer in South Africa, to introducing novel therapies for prostate and neuroendocrine cancers using Lutetium-177 and Actinium-225. His work with PSMA-targeted therapies has gained global recognition, putting South African oncology research at the forefront of international clinical trials. As President of NuMeRI, he leads the continent's only dedicated nuclear medicine research infrastructure, aligning science, health and policy. A prolific academic and dedicated mentor, Sathekge has supervised dozens of post-graduate students and authored more than 300 peer-reviewed publications. Awards and widespread respect have been bestowed on Sathekge, who exemplifies how locally rooted research can have a global impact. By fusing compassion with cutting-edge science, he has transformed South Africa's nuclear medicine capabilities and, crucially, improved patient outcomes. He has also challenged conventional care norms, introducing novel radiopharmaceutical theranostics, while maintaining an ethos of healing and academic integrity. Through these efforts, he has changed the way cancer is approached and treated. Prof Sathekge is married to Dr Rachel Sathekge, an orthodontist, and the couple has two sons. The NWU's honorary doctorate recognises not only his achievements, but also the future he continues to shape. • Follow the link to the article here: • Watch an interview with Prof Sathekge and a video of the event
Associated Press
06-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Eden Radioisotopes and Cross River Infrastructure Partners Sign MOU to Explore Development of a New Generation Medical Radioisotope Reactor in New Brunswick
ALBUQUERQUE, NM AND GREENWICH, CT / ACCESS Newswire / May 6, 2025 / Eden Radioisotopes, LLC ('Eden') and Cross River Infrastructure Partners, LLC ('CRIP') are pleased to announce the execution of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to jointly explore the development of a new nuclear medical radioisotope reactor and hot cell processing facility in the Province of New Brunswick, Canada. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in Canada's efforts to expand its capabilities in nuclear medicine and build a resilient, regionally anchored supply chain for lifesaving radiodiagnostics and radiopharmaceuticals to bolster regional and national healthcare sovereignty by enabling a secure and sustainable supply of critical medical radioisotopes. Under the terms of the MOU, Eden and CRIP will work together to identify a suitable site in New Brunswick for Eden's proven, proprietary 2 MW, low-enriched uranium (LEU) 'all-target' core reactor technology and hot cell processing facility, which is purpose-built for the simultaneous production of diagnostic and therapeutic medical radioisotopes. These isotopes are essential in diagnosing and treating a wide range of diseases including cancer and heart conditions at a time when their global supply chains are fragile, unreliable, inefficient, and highly concentrated, and at a time when global demand, especially for a new class of cancer-targeting radiotherapeutics, is projected to rapidly increase over the next several decades. The radiotherapy market size is expected to grow from about US$2 billion (CA$2.77 billion) today, to more than US$20 billion (CA$27.7 billion) by 2030. The project would be Eden's second facility, following the development of its lead reactor project in New Mexico where Eden has completed the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) pre-licensing readiness review audits for the principal licensing documents needed for the submittal of its Construction Permit Application (CPA) that is being readied for submission later this year (2025). The foundational technology for Eden's nuclear radioisotope reactor includes IP exclusively licensed from Sandia National Laboratories, funded by the United States Department of Energy (DOE), and accompanied by the R&D team that created it. Both of Eden's facilities will address the expected future shortfalls and supply constraints for several key medical radioisotopes that are projected to be in much greater demand than the current global supply can serve. Eden's initial focus will be the concurrent production of Molybdenm-99 (Mo-99 - and its daughter product Tc-99m) used in 80% of all diagnostic medical imaging procedures, and Lutetium-177 (Lu-177) which is the primary enabling radioisotope used in the rapidly emerging wave of cancer-targeting radiotherapeutics being developed by most large biopharma and many biotech companies, several of which have been recently approved by the FDA or are in the growing queue of active and planned clinical trials. Today, Lu-177 is primarily made in the same aging global reactor infrastructure as Mo-99. As potential new Lu-177 based radiotherapies are approved, future new capacity and reliability of supply will be critical especially starting in the 2030 timeframe when Eden's first site is projected to start operating in New Mexico, soon to be followed by the New Brunswick site. Both sites will leverage a unique and proprietary Eden reactor technology advantage - the concurrent and continuous production of multiple clinical radioisotopes. 'CRIP has spent nearly four years laying the groundwork for new nuclear deployments in New Brunswick with our ongoing work to develop an SMR industrial park at the Port of Belledune,' said Andrew Wilder, CEO of CRIP. 'This MOU reflects our belief that Eden's reactor is a strong fit for the nuclear and healthcare ambitions of the province as we launch a new phase of consultation and engagement with Indigenous partners, academic institutions, and regional stakeholders.' Site selection activities are now underway and will include not only logistical and regulatory criteria but also explore opportunities for educational programming in nuclear engineering and biomedical applications - positioning New Brunswick as a leader in both isotope production and workforce development. 'Eden is excited to build upon the momentum for nuclear infrastructure solutions established by CRIP with the Province of New Brunswick, Canada as the location for the development of our second North American medical radioisotope reactor and hot cell processing facility. It will assure patients, physicians, and biotherapeutic companies throughout North America and beyond with reliable, cost-efficient supply while also contributing to the local economy, 'said Chris Wagner, CEO of Eden. 'Canada has a rich history in being a major contributor and supporter of nuclear medicine and we look forward to being part of their isotope expansion strategy.' The partners believe Eden's reactor technology is highly compatible with international regulatory cooperation frameworks, including the 2023 Memorandum of Cooperation between the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) to streamline potential licensing pathways across jurisdictions. Together, CRIP and Eden aim to ensure priority access to medical isotopes for Canadian healthcare while driving long-term regional economic, educational, and industrial growth. A facility in Atlantic Canada would support Maritime healthcare and serve as a foundational asset for future radiopharmaceutical innovation. About Eden Radioisotopes Eden Radioisotopes, LLC is a U.S.-based company that designs and develops proprietary nuclear reactor technology for the safe, cost-effective, and reliable production of medical radioisotopes. Eden's purpose-built LEU reactor is designed specifically to address the global shortage of radioisotopes used in cancer diagnostics and therapy. The company is currently advancing its first reactor in New Mexico and plans to file a Construction Permit Application with the U.S. NRC later this year (2025). Focus Investment Bankers is the exclusive placement agent for Eden's $70 million Series B and related capitalizations. Corporate Contacts: For Eden Radioisotopes, LLC Chris Wagner, Chief Executive Officer [email protected] About Cross River Infrastructure Partners Cross River Infrastructure Partners is a private infrastructure development firm focused on decarbonization, energy transition, and industrial project development in North America. With a history of advancing new nuclear and green industrial development in Atlantic Canada, CRIP has been on the frontline of new SMR planning in the Province of New Brunswick, including its flagship project: the Green Energy Hub at the Port of Belledune. For Cross River Infrastructure Partners, LLC Rishi Jain c: (267) 230-8988 e: [email protected] SOURCE: Eden Radioisotopes, LLC press release
