Collaboration to Develop Next-Generation Compact Cyclotron and PET Tracer Technology

GE Healthcare (Chalfont St. Giles, UK), a unit of General Electric Co. (Fairfield, CT, USA), and NXT2B (Uppsala, Sweden), a privately owned venture capital company, reported that they have entered into a joint financing agreement with the goal of developing a microscale radiotracer infrastructure including cyclotron and positron emission tomography (PET) tracer production for emerging and developing markets.

The three-year development project will be led by GE Healthcare and will be headquartered in Uppsala, Sweden. The terms of the agreement were not disclosed. “In line with GE’s healthymagination strategy to develop innovations that increase access, reduce cost and improve quality in the healthcare system globally, GE Healthcare and NXT2B are pleased to announce a joint financing project to develop an unmatched next generation of equipment and software for the production of PET tracers,” said Erik Strömqvist, general manager, cyclotrons, GE Healthcare. “The goal of the project is to develop a turnkey radiotracer infrastructure solution for the production of PET tracers to primarily fulfill the needs of emerging markets, for rural and regional hospitals, and researchers.”

At the core of the new TRACERcenter 600 is a unique compact, cost-effective, easy to site cyclotron, and a radiotracer production operation building on GE Healthcare’s more than 80- year legacy in radiopharmaceuticals and chemistry. The PETtrace 600 cyclotron will have approximately 50% smaller footprint than a traditional cyclotron, enabling siting in settings never before possible. Together with PETtrace 600, the TRACERcenter 600 system will be capable of producing a full range of F18 and C11 tracers to detect cancer and neurodegenerative disease.

“We’re proud to partner with GE to help create greater access to PET tracer production in areas of the world that previously did not have access to and to address the large unmet needs for PET diagnostics in oncology and neurology,” said Bengt Agerup, CEO and founder, NXT2B.

Whereas the technology of PET scanners have quickly developed and evolved, corresponding developments in the necessary tracer production equipment and processes have not occurred. Current PET tracer-production methods are expensive, complex, and require a large number of highly trained individuals. With the intrinsic nature of the short-lived isotopes, distribution is frequently not possible due to lack of supporting infrastructure in regions where PET imaging is expanding.

“Simplifying the process and technology of PET tracer production involves a paradigm shift from a traditional approach to a small, easy to use cyclotron, a chemistry module that is automated, and a complete and compliant quality control process that is integrated into the system,” added Mr. Stromqvist.

NXT2B is a privately owned investment company started in 2011 by the Swedish entrepreneur Mr. Agerup. NXT2B focuses on growth equity investments in healthcare, medical devices, and specialty pharmaceutical companies but also invests in technology and consumer companies.

GE Healthcare’s expertise is in medical imaging and information technologies, medical diagnostics, patient monitoring systems, drug discovery, biopharmaceutical manufacturing technologies, performance improvement, and performance solutions services.

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