Senator the Hon Kim Carr officially opened the PETNET Solutions state-of-the-art radiopharmaceutical production centre in his role as Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research on Wednesday 5 August.
The occasion attracted over 80 guests including Ms Alison Megarrity MP, NSW Member for Menai, Lorraine Kelly, Mayor, Sutherland Shire Council, various notable members of the health and nuclear medicine community, ANSTO and PETNET Solutions board members, Siemens representatives, overseas representatives from PETNET including Brad Holmgren, PETNET Singapore and members of the press.
Upon his arrival, the Minister was given a comprehensive tour of the facility by Dr Ron Cameron, Director and Chair of PETNET Australia and General Manager, John Hodder. Following the tour, the official proceedings commenced introduced by John.
PETNET was fortunate to have the esteemed Professor Rodney Hicks, Peter McCallum Institute, speak at the event along with ANSTO Chief Executive, Dr Ad Patterson and the Minister himself.
Dr Ron Cameron, said the new facility would increase the availability of FDG to hospitals in New South Wales, allowing more patients to have access to the PET nuclear medicine procedure. “The PETNET Solutions facility will improve the capacity of Australian hospitals to enhance health outcomes for patients with diseases such as lung, breast and colorectal cancers, as well as lymphoma, heart disease and epilepsy,” he explained.
“The new PETNET Solutions facility will help ensure greater availability of FDG for hospitals which potentially could reduce radiopharmaceutical costs and enable hospitals to use their capital investment for more PET scanners rather than cyclotrons, which carry a heavy price tag,” said Dr Cameron.
The official proceedings concluded by a plaque unveiling ceremony.
During his visit the Minister also toured the fully operational OPAL reactor.