University of Missouri - Columbia

Amount Appropriated?

$20.0M

FFID tracks stages 1–2 — stages 3–5 vary by agency, assistance type, and earmark structure.

Project Description

Time is running out for the MURR, as it has only 15 years remaining on its current operating license, which was most recently renewed in 2017. American global leadership in nuclear science, and medical isotope technology cannot continue without replacing at least some of the national research reactor assets. Because competing nations are already years ahead and the design, approval construction and commissioning of an expanded research reactor in Columbia will take at least a decade, it is imperative that this effort begin now. A radiopharmaceutical is a drug that consists of a medical radioisotope incorporated into a pharmaceutical molecule. The pharmaceutical molecule conveys the radioisotope to specifically targeted organs, tissues or cells and is used in a clinic or hospital to diagnose and treat disease. In recent years, medical research teams have started to unlock the huge potential of new drug compounds, for both diagnostic and therapeutic applications, and research reactor derived radiopharmaceuticals are now one of the most powerful tools in precision medicine. The now 55-year-old University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR) is the sole domestic producer of a wide range and large number of medical isotopes and radiopharmaceuticals, which are delivered every week all over America to companies, clinics, and hospitals. Because the most important medical isotopes have half-lives of hours or days, they cannot be stockpiled and they need to be manufactured and distributed every week. Due to these short-half lives it also means relying on foreign production for such treatments would introduce unacceptable transportation and supply chain risks (including potential export restrictions by foreign governments) that could cause delays in patient diagnosis, and/or cancellation of scheduled cancer treatments at major hospitals and clinics all over the country.