In a move to bolster its access to molybdenum-99 (Mo-99), Lantheus Medical Imaging of North Billerica, MA, has signed an agreement to receive a supply of the radiopharmaceutical at regular intervals from NTP Radioisotopes of South Africa.
In addition, NTP, a subsidiary of South African Nuclear Energy, has partnered with Belgian radiochemical producer Institute for Radioelements (IRE) to cosupply Lantheus and help ensure ongoing regular supplies of Mo-99.
Lantheus started receiving regular weekly commercial deliveries of Mo-99 from NTP on April 12. President and CEO Don Kiepert said the NTP agreement will provide the company with expanded access to Mo-99 within a limited supply chain.
The Lantheus-NTP pact comes one week after the company announced price hikes for its TechneLite technetium-99m generators after its major Mo-99 supplier increased its price to Lantheus, citing the short global supply of Mo-99.
For reasons of confidentiality and due to contracts with its suppliers, Lantheus declined to disclose specific details of its pricing. In general, pricing can vary depending on volume and supply, Lantheus added.
The company also reiterated last week's statement that it will pass along any more favorable pricing it may secure for Mo-99 under a definitive agreement with its largest supplier.
The strain on the worldwide supply of Mo-99 may worsen very soon. Last week, Atomic Energy of Canada (AECL) shut down its nuclear reactor at Chalk River, Ontario, after a power outage in parts of eastern Ontario and western Quebec and a resulting water leak was detected within the facility.
AECL estimated that its reactor will be out of service for more than a month while it is repaired. AECL added that it expects that it will not be able to meet medical isotope demand after this weekend.
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