Radioisotopes

Challenge: Ensure continuous availability of radioisotopes.

How: Develop a dependable technical approach to ensure the continued availability of radioisotopes — including rare, short-lived, less available radionuclides for medical, energy, research (aerospace, nondestructive analysis), and national security applications.

Background: U.S. domestic production of key radioactive and stable isotopes has significantly diminished, leaving patients and industry vulnerable to disruptions of our mostly foreign supply. New diagnostic and therapeutic agents are not being developed due to the lack of a reliable isotope supply, and difficult investment and regulatory climates.