It will produce Lead-212 for anti-cancer treatments

AREVA Med LLC, a subsidiary of the AREVA group, announced March 10 the future construction of a facility on its Bessines site in France (Limousin region) which will produce medical-grade Lead-212* for anticancer treatments.

Relying on its experience in radiochemistry and nuclear engineering, AREVA has developed innovative processes to extract rare isotopes derived from its industrial activities.

AREVA CEO Anne Lauvergeon said, “This project illustrates AREVA’s capacity for innovation. We are delighted to contribute to the development of innovative medical solutions that derive from our core business activities.”

In nuclear medicine, the development of new treatments is dictated by isotope availability. With this new facility scheduled to open in 2013, rare Lead-212 will become more widely available and allow for the creation of new targeted therapies for patients.

Over the past several years, AREVA Med LLC and its partners have demonstrated the benefits of Lead-212 for use in innovative alpha radio-immunotherapy to combat cancer.

In 2009, AREVA was awarded a distinction by the Global Clinton Initiative for its research efforts in the development of innovative approaches for producing Lead-212.

Prior coverage on this blog

May 16, 2009 – Areva enters the nuclear medicine market

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Idaho Samizdat is a blog about the political and economic aspects of nuclear energy and nonproliferation issues.  It covers the nuclear energy industry globally.  Additionally, the blog has regional coverage on uranium mining in the western U.S. and Canada  Link to original post