Westinghouse and partner utilities can lend expertise at various stages of the Lutetium-177 commercial lifecycle

10-30 days

7-10 days

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target recycling

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step 1

Target Material
Preparation

Ytterbium oxide (Yb2O3) powder highly enriched in Ytterbium-176 is sealed within quartz ampoules.

Isotope Distributor

Quartz Ampoules
with Yb2O3

step 2

Rabbit Manufacturing

continue

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step 2

Rabbit Manufacturing

Additive manufacturing (metal powder bed fusion) is used to produce a “rabbit” which encapsulates the quartz ampoules and provides protection during shipping, handling, and irradiation.

Westinghouse

"Rabbits"

step 3

Isotope Target Irradiation

continue

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step 3

Isotope Target Irradiation

The Ytterbium-176 powder, within the rabbit, is irradiated for 10-30 days to produce non-carrier added (NCA) Lutetium-177. It is then removed and placed in a type A shipping container for transport.

Utility Partner

Type A Shipping Container

step 4

Radioisotope Preparation

continue

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step 4

Radioisotope Preparation

The radioisotope is purified to meet FDA requirements and packaged for processing into a pharmaceutical.

Isotope Distributor

Purified Radioisotope

step 5

Radiopharmaceutical Processing

continue

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step 5

Radiopharmaceutical Processing

The targeting molecule is linked to the radioisotope and prepared for shipment following Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) criteria.

Isotope Distributor

Lutetium-177

step 6

Patient Treatment

continue

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step 6

Patient Treatment

The Lutetium-177-based radiopharmaceutical is administered to the patient intra-arterially (IA) or intravenously (IV). Lutetium-177 is being investigated for treatments related to breast, lung, pancreatic, prostate, and neuro endocrine cancer.