Successful completion of contractual site acceptance tests, with 70 MeV cyclotron now fully operational
Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, January 23, 2024 – IBA (EURONEXT), the world leader in particle accelerator technology and provider of radiopharmaceutical production solutions, announces the commissioning of the Cyclone 70 system at iThemba Laboratory for Accelerator Based Sciences (iThemba LABS) in Cape Town. With the acceptance testing completed in December 2023, the fully operational cyclotron will enable iThemba LABS to transfer the production of crucial radioisotopes from their existing accelerator to the advanced Cyclone 70 system.
iThemba LABS will utilize the 70 MeV cyclotron primarily for manufacturing Strontium-82, a crucial radioisotope used in the diagnosis of cardiovascular disease, as well as the production of Germanium-68 for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging.
Dr. Le Roux Strydom, Head of Accelerator Operations & Technical Support at iThemba LABS, expressed satisfaction with the project, highlighting the exceptional project management and close collaboration with IBA’s experts. He said, Our confidence in IBA’s high energy systems has been solidified by their demonstrated expertise, particularly with the 70 MeV cyclotron. We eagerly anticipate our continued collaboration with IBA, a proven leader in cyclotron technology.
Bruno Scutnaire, President at IBA RadioPharma Solutions, emphasized the company’s pride in another successful project and highlighted IBA’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions. He stated, This latest accomplishment strengthens our leading position in cyclotron technology and attests to our commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions to meet our clients’ needs. To date, six Cyclone 70 MeV machines and over 35 cyclotrons of 30 MeV have been installed worldwide.
IBA, a world leader in particle accelerator technology, offers equipment and services in proton therapy, industrial sterilization, radiopharmaceuticals, and dosimetry. With approximately 2,000 employees worldwide, the company is listed on the pan-European stock exchange EURONEXT.
iThemba LABS is a multidisciplinary research facility managed by the National Research Foundation of South Africa. It operates on the development, operation, and use of particle accelerators and related research equipment. Known for its leadership in advancing isotopes for science and medicine, iThemba LABS is South Africa’s largest basic science enterprise.
The successful commissioning of the Cyclone 70 system at iThemba LABS marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of next-generation medical isotopes for diagnostic purposes. With IBA’s expertise and cutting-edge technology, it is expected that this collaboration will contribute to advancing healthcare and enhancing the understanding of complex illnesses.
