ISU Idaho Accelerator Center announces supply of copper-67 isotope available for cancer and medical research
January 8, 2015
The 麻豆原创 Idaho Accelerator Center is now making available the isotope copper-67 for medical and cancer research, announced Jon Stoner, IAC director of technical operations.
鈥淲e鈥檝e developed a proprietary process for making a valuable isotope for cancer diagnostics and therapy known as copper-67,鈥� Stoner said. 鈥淥ur product has undergone initial radiolabel testing at City of Hope Cancer Research Center with their anti-CEA antibody with excellent preliminary results.鈥�
鈥淐opper-67 has only been available sporadically from U.S. government labs in limited quantities. Lack of supply has limited research and development of new cancer fighting drugs utilizing it.鈥� Stoner said. 鈥淣ow that we can deliver the copper-67 on demand, researchers can start a program that fits into their whole drug development flow.鈥�
The ISU Idaho Accelerator Center produces the copper-67 using electron linear accelerators known as LINACs.
鈥淲e constructed a LINAC just for isotope production. Our process can produce sufficient daily quantities to support human trials,鈥� Stoner said. 鈥淭he product quality, known as 鈥榮pecific activity鈥�, is also very high, greater than 10,000 Curies/gram.鈥�
The copper-67 will be produced at the Idaho Accelerator Center鈥檚 Pocatello site.
ISU is partnering with International Isotopes, an Idaho Falls company, to distribute the copper-67 produced at the IAC. This project has also received support from the Higher Education Research Council Idaho Global Entrepreneurial Mission (IGEM).
鈥淭he production of the copper-67 isotope brings very significant potential for development of drugs to fight numerous forms of cancer,鈥� said Howard Grimes, ISU vice president for research and economic development. 鈥淭his program is a great example of what partnerships between private sector and public universities can achieve.鈥�
For information on obtaining samples or receiving delivery of the IAC鈥檚 copper-67 isotope, contact International Isotopes (208) 524-5300 or admin@intisoid.com; or contact Stoner 208-282-5875 or stonjon@isu.edu.
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