The German Federal Ministry of Health has awarded more than 1 million euros ($1.4 million U.S.) in R&D funding for producing the radioisotope molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) at the research neutron source Forschungs-Neutronenquelle Heinz Maier-Leibnitz (FRM II).
A 2009 feasibility study found that the Technische Universität München's (TUM) facility in Garching could produce about half of the European demand for Mo-99.
The Federal Health Ministry has pledged to support the development of an efficient radiation process at Garching's research neutron source with subsidies of 1 million euros budgeted for this year and 2012.
TUM already produces lutetium-177 to treat endocrine tumors, such as gastrointestinal cancer.
