GE Healthcare and NXT2B to create cyclotron and PET tracer system

GE Healthcare has announced a new alliance with the privately-owned venture capital company NXT2B to create a micro-scale radiotracer infrastructure including cyclotron and positron emission tomography (PET) tracer production.

The joint financing agreement will see the two organisations developing new solutions known as TRACERcenter 600 and PETtrace 600, which will allow users to benefit from compact, cost-effective and easy-to site cyclotron and radiotracer production operations.

Together, they will be capable of producing a portfolio of F18 and C11 tracers to detect cancer and neurodegenerative disease in a far more affordable manner than was previously the case.

Erik Stromqvist, general manager for cyclotrons at GE Healthcare, said: "The goal of the project is to develop a turnkey radiotracer infrastructure solution for the production of PET tracers to primarily fulfil the needs of emerging markets, for rural and regional hospitals, and researchers."

Last month, the company announced plans to acquire Xcellerex, a leading supplier of innovative manufacturing technologies for the biopharmaceutical industry.