MEDI-PHYSICS' NEW CYCLOTRON WILL PRODUCE I-123 RADIOISOTOPE

MEDI-PHYSICS' NEW CYCLOTRON WILL PRODUCE I-123 RADIOISOTOPE for use in radiopharmaceuticals at six times the rate of the subsidiary's four other cyclotrons, the firm said in a Nov. 9 press release. Total project cost of installing the 144-tone particle accelerator is approximately $10 mil. The 70 mil. electron volt cyclotron will begin operating at full capacity in its Arlington Heights, Illinois site next June, Medi-Physics' said. The newly installed cyclotron will supply the I-123 radioisotope used in Medi-Physics' brain imaging agent, Perfusamine. An NDA for the agent is pending at FDA. Perfusamine clinical trials began at 10 sites in January 1983. Indicated for use as an imaging agent for the study of brain perfusion, Perfusamine "should be extremely helpful in the early detection of stroke caused by blockage," the company said. Medi-Physics noted that Perfusamine also may prove useful in diagnosing epilepsy and mental disorders associated with abnormal brain perfusion, such as Alzheimer's disease. A panel date has not yet been set for FDA review of the radiopharmaceutical. In addition to its use as a key ingredients in the brain imaging agent, the I-123 produced by the new cyclotron will "have the potential" for use in Medi-Physics' already-approved kidney imaging agent, Nephroflow. However, Medi-Physics noted that since I-123 produced at the new site will be purer than the radioisotope currently used in Nephroflow, FDA may require additional clinical data. Medi-Physics added that a heart imaging radiopharmaceutical which employs I-123 currently is under research and development at the firm.