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New partnership to boost nuclear medicine research
30 September 2022
Urenco is funding medical research into inflammatory lung and cancerous diseases, using nuclear medicine.
We have partnered with IsoHope, a division of the University College London Hospitals (UCLH) Charity UK.
The charity directly supports the work of the famous Institute of Nuclear Medicine (INM).
Our funding, as part of this social impact programme, will go towards INM medical research, studies and the sharing of knowledge to better understand lung and malignant diseases.
This is part of Urenco’s wider sustainability strategy, and we already play a vital role ourselves in the nuclear medicine supply chain through our Stable Isotopes business in the Netherlands, Urenco Stable Isotopes.
Peter Groen, Partnership Lead at Urenco, said: “This three year partnership is a natural fit for us given our own background in producing essential ingredients for the production of life-saving medical radioisotopes, and we’re proud to support the fantastic work of the INM.”
Initially the INM will study the role of blood vessels using a specific positron emitter isotope tracer (PSMA).
The next phase will perform studies using a more novel positron emitter isotope tracer (FAPI) that measures cellular activity, and the final phase will collate and present the findings to the medical community.
Rob Shortman of the INM, said: “Thanks to the generous funding from Urenco we hope to help patients by targeting specific treatments for their illnesses.
“This approach is known as Precision Medicine. In this collaboration we aim to help patients with two devasting diseases; cancer and a scarring disease known as fibrosis.
“We will use novel radioactive molecules aimed at blood vessels (PSMA) and scar tissue (FAPI) which we hope will allow for better diagnosis and targeted treatment.”
About Urenco
Urenco is an international supplier of enrichment services and fuel cycle products with sustainability at the core of its business. Operating in a pivotal area of the nuclear fuel supply chain for 50 years, Urenco facilitates zero carbon electricity generation for consumers around the world.
With its head office near London, UK, Urenco’s global presence ensures diversity and security of supply for customers through enrichment facilities in Germany, the Netherlands, the UK and the USA. Using centrifuge technology designed and developed by Urenco, and through the expertise of our people, the Urenco Group provides safe, cost effective and reliable services; operating within a framework of high environmental, social and governance standards, complementing international safeguards.
Urenco is committed to continued investment in the responsible management of nuclear materials; innovation activities with clear sustainability benefits, such as nuclear medicine, industrial efficiency and research; and nurturing the next generation of scientists and engineers.
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