Cyclotron production of Ga-68 for human use from liquid targets: From theory to practice Available to Purchase

A fully automated system for the production of ⁶⁸Ga based on commercially available cyclotron liquid target and synthesis modules is described. A solution containing enriched ⁶⁸Zn dissolved in a nitric solution is irradiated in a Cyclone 18/9 IBA cyclotron leading to the production of up to about 25 GBq of ⁶⁸Ga. The irradiated solution is transferred to a Synthera synthesis module in which ⁶⁸Ga is separated and purified with a yield superior to 85 % and where further labelling is achieved with yields no inferior to 70 %. The developed and implemented method presents an improved approach for the production of ⁶⁸Ga-radiopharmaceuticals suitable for human use, in a process that takes less than 2 hours. This technique represents an economically viable alternative to ⁶⁸Ge/⁶⁸Ga generators with improved characteristics.