On 7-9 February, 2023, a delegation of the National Institute of Radio Elements (Institute National des Radio-Elements FUP IRE) held the working visit to the Institute of Nuclear Physics.
The purpose of the Belgian delegation is to evaluate the infrastructure of the Institute of Nuclear Physics for establishment of industrial cooperation in production of medical radioisotopes.
On the first day of the visit, the delegation of the National Institute met with General Director Sayabek Sakhiyev and Heads of Departments. At the meeting, Sayabek Kuanyshbekovich described the research activities and technical capabilities of the INP. He mentioned the works performed under cooperation with more than 30 international organizations. Speaking about the upcoming Mega-Science projects, the General Director noted that industrial cooperation with the National Institute of Radioelements in production of medical radioisotopes is one of the most important Mega-Science Projects.
The General Director also noted that Japan is interested in radiopharmaceuticals produced at the Institute of Nuclear Physics.
— Last year, the International Forum dedicated to the 65th anniversary of the Institute of Nuclear Physics was organized. For the first time in the history of INP, the honorary guests of the Forum had the opportunity to have the meeting with the President of State, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. During the meeting, the President of Chioda Technol Corp, Ataru Inoui, told the President of State about intention to purchase radiopharmaceuticals produced at the Institute of Nuclear Physics.
During the bilateral meeting, the capabilities of producing new medical radioisotopes at the research reactor WWR-K were discussed, including production of molybdenum-99, the main isotope used in modern nuclear medicine.
Also during the working visit, the delegation of the National Institute of Radioelements (IRE) visited the research reactor WWR-K, the Scientific-Technical Center of Radiochemistry and Radiopharmaceuticals Production, the Center of Complex Ecological Research and the Nuclear Security Training Center to review and assess the infrastructure.
The National Institute of Radio Elements (IRE) is the world leader in the production of molybdenum-99 isotope, which is widely used in nuclear medicine. Molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) is the main isotope used in medicine for preparation of radiopharmaceuticals intended for treatment of cancer and diagnostic procedures. The National Institute of Radioelements (IRE) produces 40% of molybdenum-99 worldwide.
In general, during the three-days visit, the delegation of the National Institute of Radioelements noted the uniqueness of the research activities performed by the INP, as well as the high level of INP staff qualification.
