MU research reactor helps supply critical medical isotopes during global disruption
Due to a recent unexpected reactor shutdown in Europe, the University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR) has increased its production of critical medical radioisotopes in an effort to help alleviate the anticipated disruption on the global supply chain.
Feb. 9, 2022
Contact: Eric Stann, 573-882-3346, StannE@missouri.edu
Due to a recent unexpected reactor shutdown in Europe, the University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR) has increased its production of critical medical radioisotopes in an effort to help alleviate the anticipated disruption on the global supply chain.
MURR is currently the sole producer of molybdenum-99 (Mo-99), iodine-133 (I-131), and lutetium-177 (Lu-177) in the United States, all of which are used for medical diagnoses or treatment of cancer and other disease. The European reactor is one of the main suppliers for these isotopes in Europe. With that reactor shut down, MU’s facility is working to help meet the increase in demand internationally.