Framatome and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to demonstrate the feasibility of producing non-carrier added lutetium-177, a medical isotope used for a variety of life-saving cancer treatments, at the Wolsong nuclear power plant in South Korea. Under this MoU, Framatome and KHNP will jointly conduct a technical assessment at the facility using Framatome’s isotope production technology. This technology has been successfully implemented at commercial production level at Bruce Power’s nuclear power plant in Canada. “We expect commercial nuclear reactors to play an increasingly important role as a backup and complement to research reactors in the production of cancer-fighting radioisotopes,” said François Gauché, head of Framatome Healthcare. “This collaboration will support the future supply chain readiness to make lutetium-177 treatments mass accessible around the world.” Through this agreement – similar to one recently announced by Framatome and Nuclearelectrica in Romania – the two companies will look at the feasibility of using the CANDU reactor at Wolsong to support Korean production of life-saving radioisotopes in the future. to support. “With this initiative, KHNP remains consistent with its commitment to social responsibility by supporting the development of modern nuclear medicine treatments in South Korea while continuing its contribution to a stable energy supply and carbon neutrality,” said Chang Hee-Seung (Figure 1), director vice president of KHNP’s Quality and Technology Department.
South Korea’s nuclear power plant will assess the feasibility of producing medical isotopes
1. Catherine Cornand of Framatome and Chang Hee-Seung of KHNP show the agreement, with a group of Framatome and KHNP employees in the background, after the signing of the MoU. Thanks to: Framatome “Framatome has worked with KHNP for decades to support the safe, reliable and sustainable operation of its nuclear fleet. We are actively involved in supporting the long-term operations of the Hanul 1 and 2 plants for which Framatome is the original equipment manufacturer,” said Catherine Cornand, senior executive vice president of the Installed Base business unit at Framatome. “I am very pleased to expand our partnership through this new initiative at the Wolsong Nuclear Power Plant.” Lutetium-177 is a beta-emitting radioisotope used in targeted radionuclide therapy for the treatment of prostate cancer and in several promising radiopharmaceutical developments for other cancer indications. The isotope destroys cancer cells while healthy cells remain unaffected. Framatome’s proprietary isotope production technology enabled the first large-scale commercial production of lutetium-177 in a power reactor in October 2022. Framatome Healthcare is committed to developing healthcare products and services. The team supports the value chain for the radioisotopes used in radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic imaging and therapeutic purposes, supplies specialty alloys for the development of surgical implants and prosthetics, and offers advanced solutions for complex sterilization facilities essential for the use of medical materials . Framatome Healthcare’s experts promote the fight against cancer and develop and support medical applications of nuclear technology. —CURRENT edited this content contributed by Framatomes media relations department.
