Technology
Southern Cross Medical Radioisotopes (SCMR) is bridging the critical gap between nuclear production and clinical application by establishing a dedicated, reactor-free supply chain for medical radioisotopes.
By utilising high-energy electron accelerators, we will drive precise photonuclear reactions to synthesise high-purity radioisotopes.
Our facility will provide the essential infrastructure required to power the global revolution in Targeted Alpha Therapy (TAT), ensuring that these high-potency treatments have a reliable, sustainable, and sovereign pathway from production to the patient.
Targeted Alpha Therapy (TAT)
Targeted Alpha Therapy (TAT) is a next-generation cancer treatment that uses radioactive atoms to precisely destroy cancer cells from the inside, while minimising damage to healthy tissue.
It combines nuclear physics with molecular biology to create highly targeted, highly powerful cancer therapies.
The growth of Targeted Alpha Therapy is currently limited not by medical science but by the shortage of Actinium-225 production.
Medical Radioisotopes
SCMR specialises in a diverse range of high-purity radioisotopes designed for the next generation of nuclear medicine.
Our portfolio focuses on high-demand therapeutic agents and essential diagnostics, bridging the gap between clinical potential and patient access.
By controlling the production of critical precursors like Radium-226, we enable the scalable supply of Actinium-225 and Copper-67 for targeted cancer treatments, while providing a strategic, reactor-free supplementary source of Technetium-99m.
Actinium-225 (Ac-225)
Actinium-225 is a high-potency isotope at the forefront of Targeted Alpha Therapy (TAT), capable of destroying cancer cells with pinpoint precision. While global demand for this "miracle isotope" is surging, the current supply remains critically scarce.
SCMR is bridging this gap by utilising advanced electron accelerator technology to provide a scalable, secure, and sustainable supply of Ac-225, ensuring life-saving treatments reach the patients who need them most.
By Dr Andrew R. Burgoyne - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=116535738
By Weirdmeister - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=49074391
Radium-226 (Ra-226)
Radium-226 is the essential precursor for the production of Actinium-225. Historically used in early cancer treatments and industrial applications, it is now being reclaimed and repurposed as a vital feedstock for modern nuclear medicine.
SCMR is securing the future of Targeted Alpha Therapy by establishing internal capabilities to extract Ra-226 from uranium ore (pitchblende).
By controlling this critical upstream resource, SCMR ensures a stable, long-term foundation for the large-scale production of Ac-225, effectively turning a nuclear legacy into a life-saving asset.
Copper-67 (Cu-67)
Copper-67 is a versatile next-generation radioisotope used to treat aggressive cancers like Lymphoma and neuroendocrine tumours. Its unique properties allow it to destroy cancer cells while simultaneously providing clear medical imaging for doctors.
SCMR utilises high-energy photonics and enriched zinc targets to produce high-purity Cu-67, overcoming the limitations of traditional reactor methods to provide a reliable, medical-grade supply for precision medicine.
Technetium-99m (Tc-99m)
Technetium-99m is used in 80% of all diagnostic scans worldwide, from cardiac imaging to cancer staging. However, the global supply currently relies on a handful of aging nuclear reactors, creating significant supply-chain vulnerabilities.
SCMR utilises electron accelerator technology to produce Tc-99m without the need for uranium or nuclear reactors.
By diversifying production, SCMR provides a strategic, reactor-free backup that ensures hospitals and patients have uninterrupted access to the world’s most critical diagnostic isotope.
Scandium-47
Scandium-47 is a high-potential "theranostic" isotope, uniquely capable of both treating small-to-medium tumours and providing high-quality SPECT imaging in a single nuclide.
While scientifically superior for its elegant "matched pair" chemistry, global supply routes for Sc-47 are still in the early stages of development.
SCMR is evaluating future production pathways for Sc-47 using the same high-power electron accelerator infrastructure used for Actinium-225.
By expanding into emerging theranostics, SCMR is positioning Australia at the forefront of next-generation radiopharmaceuticals, ensuring a long-term, scalable pipeline of isotopes that go beyond today's clinical standards.
By Alchemist-hp (talk) (www.pse-mendelejew.de) - Own work, FAL, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10636841
By Kestrel - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=72308218
Production
Radioisotope production traditionally relies on aging nuclear reactors and uranium fission. SCMR is pioneering a cleaner, more sustainable path using High-Energy Linear Accelerators (LINACs).
By utilising high-power photon beams instead of neutrons, we drive precise photonuclear reactions that avoid uranium handling and minimise radioactive waste.
While reactors focus on bulk volume, SCMR specialises in high-purity, high-value therapeutic isotopes like Ac-225, providing a secure and regionally controlled supply chain for the next generation of cancer care.