NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes has successfully completed a test run of its system for producing molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) at the University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR) in Columbia, MO.
The May 4 test involved the aliquoting system used to fill several depleted uranium source vessels and one tungsten source vessel with Mo-99; the depleted uranium source vessels were then packaged and shipped to NorthStar's facility in Madison, WI. They arrived there in good condition early on May 5, according to the firm. NorthStar created approximately 400 Ci of Mo-99 for the test run.
The test showed that NorthStar, working in collaboration with MURR, can produce, package, and ship Mo-99 orders to customers, Senior Vice President and Chief Science Officer James Harvey, PhD, said in a statement. It's another milestone toward establishing U.S. production of Mo-99, NorthStar said.
