More on PETNET's history in Chicago
“After nearly 30 years of operations, we say goodbye to the PETNET Des Plaines production site. The radiopharmacy was one of the original ten production locations that made up the "NET" in the PETNET “network” back in 1996 when the organization was formed, thus making it one of the original birth places for PETNET as a company.
The radiopharmacy was one of only a few PETNET sites to ever house a PET scanner. In late 2001 PETNET partnered with a contract research organization co-located on the Des Plaines, IL campus to conduct research on the central nervous system with short half-life isotopes produced using the Siemens RDS-112 cyclotron. At the time this was considered cutting-edge. Although the partnership and the PET scanner faded away, the RDS-112 cyclotron remained a steady workhorse, fueling biomarker production for decades.
The RDS-112 was originally introduced by CTI Cyclotron Systems in Berkley, CA in 1986. A year later, Siemens and CTI began working together in a joint venture known as CTI PET Systems. The RDS-112 pioneered several technical advancements that we still enjoy today. It was the first self-shielded cyclotron as well as the first negative ion accelerator. Upon its initial release, the RDS-112 was criticized as inadequate, given bombardment parameters between 20-40 μA. But these advances paved the way for the clinical production of PET radiopharmaceuticals in the US and around the world. In fact, all cyclotrons used in PET today are negative ion machines. CTI’s RDS-112 was once the best-selling cyclotrons in the world, manufactured into the early 1990s and ultimately leading to an install base of over 20 machines. It was the predecessor to the RDS-111 and Eclipse models, which still have more than 200 units in operation today – many at PETNET facilities. When Siemens purchased CTI in 2005, the acquisition included CTI’s specialty business unit: PETNET Solutions.
Although end-of-support for the RDS-112 was announced in June of 2007, PETNET has continued to successfully operate and maintain the cyclotron throughout our time in Des Plaines. As we say goodbye to PETNET Des Plaines, I am reminded of all the years of dedication from the local team members, the graciousness of distant team members who traveled to help support the local team, and the many external experts who provided support to keep us producing. Thank you!
As we turn the page on a long and successful history in Des Plaines, we begin a new chapter filled with much pride and excitement. With this we are excited to announce the opening of the new PETNET Chicago radiopharmacy located in Elk Grove, IL. This site is equipped with cutting-edge manufacturing technology, a high-capacity cyclotron with space for a future system and will make its debut with a comprehensive portfolio of PET biomarkers that will bring continued reliability and patient access to important diagnostic tools. Much like radiopharmacies of the past, this new site has been designed with future regulatory expectations, future expansion, and future diversification in mind. There is no doubt our network is being modernized for today and for decades to come. We are proud of our history in Chicago and are extremely excited for the future.”
Joshua Nutting, PharmD, PETNET Chief Operating Officer
