PETNET Solutions is pleased to announce the much anticipated approval to hot commission from the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA). The licence comes after months of intense and complex regulatory hurdles and audits undertaken to ensure the facility, its operating procedures and staff were intrinsically safe.
This significant milestone paves the way for PETNET Solutions to produce its first commercial batch of FDG in early 2010. It follows the facility receiving regulatory approval in October by the TGA to manufacture FDG under the code of Good Manufacturing Practice.
With the twins now all fired up, working days for the PETNET team start between midnight and 3am. According to John Hodder, the Eclipse RDS111 series, twin cyclotrons, C1 and C2, are considered the most efficient, cost effective devices for the manufacture of F18 for the production of PET molecular markers.
“Over the last few weeks, C1 and C2 have been under the scrutiny of Tod and Jeff, two installation engineers from PETNET Solutions headquarters in Knoxville, USA.
“Both cyclotrons produced over two batches per day and exceeded their production specifications for F18 from the targets. Both operated full power and dual beam. The combination of power usage versus F18 output makes these units a key to PETENET Solutions efficient operation,” John said. The twin’s exemplary performance meant Tod and Jeff were able to complete their assignment three days ahead of schedule. By the time they left, they were not only impressed by the cyclotrons, but by the resident goanna that came down from the main ANSTO site.
An impressive two meters long, the goanna put on a display for the visitors by going into the bush at the back of the facility. A few minutes upon entering, the familiar baby bird noises were silenced and eventually emerged one happy goanna!
Having seen the sharks in the Sydney Aquarium and then the goanna in action, Tod and Jeff left for home with a good appreciation of the size and dangers of the wildlife down under!