Page 74 - Tcexpression2021 - Sept to Dec 2020

History and Radioisotope production in
India

Dr Homi Jehangir Bhabha regarded as “Father of Indian
Nuclear Program” spearheaded and established India’s
ambitious atomic energy program. In 1956, APSARA, Therapeutic 99m Tc
the first research reactor in India became critical. Radiopharmaceuticals Radiopharmaceuticals

The second reactor, CIRUS, became operational in 1960. Cold Kits for 99m Tc Radioisotope
Indigenous production of radionuclides (131I, 32P, 51Cr) Radiopharmaceuticals Generators
for medical applications were initiated in these reactors.
The Isotope Division of Bhabha Atomic Research PET Custom Labelling
Centre since 1967 began the Commercial and supply of Radiopharmaceuticals & Contract Manufacturing
radioisotopes, radiopharmaceuticals to the hospitals in
India.
In-vitro Diagnostic Kits
The Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology (BRIT)
was set up as an Industrial Unit of Department of
Atomic Energy (DAE), commencing the commercial Source: https://www.britatom.gov.in/sites/default/files/
production on March 01, 1989. Publications/RPH_exhibit.pdf

BRIT products include Radiopharmaceuticals, The figure provides an overview of the
Sealed Radiation Sources, Labelled Compound Radiopharmaceuticals produced at BRIT.
and Nucleotides, Gamma Chambers, Radiography
Exposure Devices and Blood Irradiators. BRIT provides PET radiopharmaceuticals like below are produced and
the following services - Isotope Application services, shipped to hospitals having PET camera in Mumbai and
Radioanalytical services, Calibration and Dosimetry nearby areas.
services and Radiation Processing Services besides
Project Consultancy services for setting up Radiation
Processing Plants in the private sector. [18F]-FDG- Fluoro-deoxy-glucose injection used
for Oncology, neurology, infection and cardiology,
[18F]-FLT Fluoro-thymidine injection used for
Oncologic applications

Reactors at Sterilisation of [18F]-NaF Sodium fluoride injection used for Bone
BARC Medical Products
scintigraphy

[18F]-FET Fluoro-ethyl tyrosine injection used for
Generator SPECT Products Brain gliomas
Facility
[18F]-FMISO Fluoro-misonidazole injection used for
PET Products Hypoxia imaging
Medical Cyclotron
BRIT also provides 3 types of 99Mo-99mTc generator for
extraction / elution of 99mTc from radioactive parent
Clean Room Facility RIA & IRMA
99Mo

TCM 1 99Mo-99mTc COLTECH generator
Brachytherapy Bhabhatron Alumina column generator
Unit

TCG 99Mo-99mTc GELTECH generator
Zirconium molybdate gel generator
Source: https://www.britatom.gov.in/sites/default/files/
Publications/RPH_exhibit.pdf TCM 2 99Mo as sodium molybdate radiochemical
Solvent Extraction Generator

74 TCExpresssion