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Updated: Jun 14, 2025

Radiosynthesis, Quality Control, and Small Animal Positron Emission Tomography Imaging of 68Ga-Labelled Nano Molecules
Published on: October 4, 2024
How green are radiopharmaceutical sciences?
Verena Pichler1, Matthias Manfred Herth2, Verena Hugenberg3
1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2, 1090 Vienna, Austria; Department of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, Sem Sælands vei 3, 0371 Oslo, Norway.
Abstract:
The rapid growth of radiopharmaceutical sciences, driven by regulatory approvals of theranostic agents and the expanding role of PET imaging, underscores the need for sustainable and green practices. While radiopharmaceuticals offer high precision and targeted therapy with minimal systemic toxicity, the field faces challenges related to increasing demand, energy consumption, and waste management. The nuclear medicine market is projected to reach $30 billion by 2030, necessitating the integration of sustainability principles such as green chemistry and green engineering into radiopharmaceutical development. Given the energy-intensive nature of radiochemical processes, these principles provide strategies for reducing environmental impact. However, radiopharmaceutical sciences require adaptations to traditional sustainability frameworks due to factors like radiation safety, speed, and automation. This perspective examines the applicability of the 12 principles of green chemistry and engineering, proposing nine key principles tailored to radiopharmaceutical sciences. These principles address waste prevention, radionuclide recycling, energy efficiency, and the adoption of cleaner irradiation technologies. As the field evolves, incorporating sustainability into training programs and research initiatives will be essential.
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