IRE - Institute for radioelements

IRE - Institute for radioelements (IRE) is a key player in the nuclear medicine industry, specializing in the production of medical radioisotopes. These radioisotopes are artificially produced, mainly in research reactors and accelerators, and are vital for nuclear medicine diagnostics and treatments.

IRE's core offering revolves around the production and supply of molybdenum-99 (Mo-99), a radioisotope used to generate technetium-99 million, which is widely employed in various nuclear medicine procedures for diagnosing and monitoring diseases, particularly cancer. The company plays a crucial role in ensuring the availability of these essential medical radioisotopes for healthcare applications worldwide.

IRE's operations involve carefully managing production schedules, taking into account supply, demand, and logistical considerations related to the limited number of nuclear reactors available for radioisotope production. The company's expertise lies in optimizing these production processes to ensure a stable and secure supply of radioisotopes for patient care.

In addition to its radioisotope production capabilities, IRE has been actively involved in addressing challenges faced by the nuclear medicine industry. The company has contributed to industry initiatives and working groups focused on raising awareness, promoting innovation, and addressing supply chain issues within the sector.

Key customers and partnerships

IRE - Institute for radioelements has established itself as a reliable supplier of medical radioisotopes to customers across various industries and regions. The company has forged notable partnerships within the nuclear medicine ecosystem to enhance its operations and further the industry's development.

In November 2021, Erich Kollegger, representing IRE, was elected as the Vice-President and Secretary General of Nuclear Medicine Europe (NMEU), the industry association for the nuclear medicine sector. This appointment highlights IRE's active involvement and leadership role within the European nuclear medicine community.

Furthermore, IRE has collaborated with FORATOM, the European nuclear trade body, to jointly issue position papers and recommendations. In June 2021, the two organizations released a joint position paper emphasizing the importance of promoting new research reactor capacity, innovation, and design modifications to maintain the current level of medical radioisotope supply in Europe.