Nuclear Medicine

Nuclear medicine (also called molecular imaging) includes positron emission computed tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging. Nuclear imaging is achieved by injecting small amounts of radioactive material (radiopharmaceuticals) into patients before or during their scan. These can use sugars or chemical traits to bond to specific cells. The radioactive material is taken up by cells that consume the sugars. The radiation emitted from inside the body is detected by photon detectors outside the body. Computers take the data to assemble images of the radiation emissions. Nuclear images may appear fuzzy or ghostly rather than the sharper resolution from MRI and CT.  But, it provides metabolic information at a cellular level, showing if there are defects in the function of the heart, areas of very high metabolic activity associated with cancer cells, or areas of inflammation, data not available from other modalities. These noninvasive imaging exams are used to diagnose cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, bone disorders and other disorders. 

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Telix Pharmaceuticals

Imaging agent developer Telix to buy RLS radiopharmaceutical network for up to $250M

RLS operates America’s only Joint Commission-accredited radiopharmacy network, with 31 locations covering over 85% of the U.S. population. 

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Nuclear Regulatory Commission warns of medical mishaps stemming from radiopharmaceutical use

NRC estimates that 29 of these “medical events” occurred between 2021 and 2023, with “many” involving new therapeutic radiopharma procedures. 

Novartis

Novartis breaks ground on 2 new facilities aimed at increasing radiopharma production

The Swiss drugmaker recently started work on a new plant in Indianapolis, which will produce isotopes needed for key radioligand therapies. 

Siemens Healthineers

Siemens Healthineers to acquire Novartis imaging unit for over $223M

The Swiss pharmaceutical firm operates Europe’s second largest network of cyclotrons, used to manufacture radioactive compounds needed for PET scans.  

Newsletters

Imaging advocates want nuclear medicine technologists reclassified as healthcare professionals

The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging made its case in an Aug. 12 letter to the Office of Management and Budget.

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FDA denies pharma firm’s initial application for new kidney cancer imaging agent

Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd. announced the news on July 31, with the decision applying to its TLX250-CDx investigational agent for clear cell renal cell carcinoma (brand name Zircaix). 

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Pharmacist pleads guilty to 'adulterating' radiopharmaceuticals

According to the DOJ, the pharmacist and those working under him “would ‘fractionate’ or ‘split’ the active ingredient of Technescan MAG3, without ensuring the pieces were equal in size, purity or strength.” 

stock market

After IPO fails, imaging agent developer Telix Pharmaceuticals raises $429M via debt

The Melbourne, Australia-based radiopharmaceutical firm plans to use the proceeds to accelerate development of products in its theranostics portfolio.

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Around the web

Health Imaging
American College of Radiology announces significant expansion of Lung Cancer Screening Registry

The ACR hopes these changes, including the addition of diagnostic performance feedback, will help reduce the number of patients with incidental nodules lost to follow-up each year.

Health Imaging
AI reduces CT lung cancer screening workload by nearly 80%

And it can do so with almost 100% accuracy as a first reader, according to a new large-scale analysis.

Health Imaging
Nearly $800,000 settlement offered to family of man who died during MRI exam

The patient, who was being cared for in the ICU, was not accompanied or monitored by nursing staff during his exam, despite being sedated.