Established in 1999, the Idaho Accelerator building on the campus of Idaho State University still remains a mystery to most but its impact on the community is unmatched. In the last ten years, the center has brought in well over $15 million in contracts and grants from a diverse group of clients. Their latest project might just be their most important.
ISU has developed a technologically advanced method for producing the isotope that is essential for manufacturing Copper-67. Copper-67 has shown exceptional potential for treating non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma as well as bladder, colorectal, and ovarian cancers.
Under the terms of the agreement, ISU will produce raw isotopes at the Idaho Accelerator Center and International Isotopes will transfer the materials to their facility where they will be processed and packaged in its final form.
In addition to its work at the accelerator center, ISU is providing the expertise for chemical processing. International Isotopes will make an in- kind contribution of equipment for the isotope processing, technical support for packaging and shipping, and supporting safety staff. The International Isotopes' facility is specifically licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for this type of activity and its facility is also registered with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a manufacturing facility for drug products - a classification that will help facilitate the commercial development of the Copper-67 product.
Jon Stoner says this project has tremendous potential because of the way it can be used in the body.
“Medical Isotopes are interesting in that they’re particular elements that usually do one of two things in medicine: They help you image things in your body or they help treat things like caner in your body. The one we are working on does both. It allows doctors to image the cancer tumor and treat the cancer tumor,” said Jon Stoner, Research Consultant for the Idaho Accelerator.
The goal is to have mass production of Copper-67 within the year.
