SHINE Medical Technologies, a Monona, Wis.-based medical isotope manufacturer, announced this week that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has recommended approval of a construction permit for the company’s medical isotope production facility.
The facility will be used for the production of molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) without highly enriched uranium. It will be located in Janesville, Wis., and employ 150 people.
“This is the first time in over fifty years a medical isotope plant has been recommended for a construction permit,” Greg Piefer, SHINE CEO, said in a statement. “We’ve developed a greener, safer, and cheaper way to produce these isotopes on a global scale. Specifically, these documents are the conclusion of more than four years of hard work and deliberation by both the NRC staff and SHINE. We are tremendously proud to have earned the recommendation of one of the world’s most highly-respected regulators.”
The review process involved numerous reviews by the NRC and a letter from the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards. The next step is a hearing with NRC commissioners.
Last week, SHINE received $1 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) for its work on Mo-99 production.
Michael has more than 16 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.