The Australian government is investing in the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) to boost Australia’s sovereign capability to manufacture nuclear medicine that will help in the treatment of diseases like cancer.
The investment includes support for the establishment of a new nuclear medicine manufacturing facility at ANSTO’s Lucas Heights campus in Sydney’s south.
The new purpose-built manufacturing facility will produce and distribute medicine products to hospitals and medical clinics across the country. It comes as ANSTO’s existing facility approaches the end of its operating life.
Through the new facility, ANSTO will be able to continue locally producing the latest critical nuclear medicines for years into the future, providing patients with access to early diagnosis and treatments and improving Australia’s sovereign capability and safeguarding against supply chain disruptions.
“ANSTO’s nuclear medicine precinct in Sydney will revolutionise the domestic production of nuclear medicines and improve the lives of thousands of Australians,” said Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic. “Our significant investment in infrastructure is underpinned by ANSTO’s strong track record as Australia’s largest producer of nuclear medicines.”
The facility’s design and implementation will be confirmed by an independent assessment to be commissioned by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources. It will also be subject to a tender process.
The facility is expected to be up and running by the early to mid-2030s.
ANSTO is a global leader in the research and advanced manufacturing of vital medicines used to diagnose medical conditions such as heart disease and cancer.
The organisation boasts a 70-year history of scientific and nuclear expertise and serves as the source of about 75 to 85 per cent of nuclear medicine isotopes used in Australia.
Each week ANSTO manufactures approximately 12,000 patient doses of nuclear medicine, which are then distributed to 250 hospitals and medical centres in Australia and the region.
For more information about ANSTO’s nuclear medicine production, visit ansto.gov.au/products/nuclear-medicine.
