Research and innovation for sustainable medical radionuclide supply in the European Union : workshop report with conclusions and recommendations

Building on the momentum of the European Commission's stakeholder consultation workshops on nuclear medical applications initiated in 2023, this third and latest workshop in a series convened on 22 November 2023 at the Joint Research Centre (JRC) in Karlsruhe and delved into the critical domain of "Research and Innovation for Sustainable Medical Radionuclide Supply in the EU." While the first workshop, organised on 27 April 2023 at JRC Ispra, discussed the trajectory of "radiotheranostic cancer treatments from research benches to clinical reality" and emphasized the challenges from clinical translation gaps to workforce training, the second workshop was organised with the European Nuclear Education Network (ENEN) the 24 October 2023 at JRC Petten, on "nuclear competences and skills needed for medical applications of nuclear science". This third workshop at JRC Karlsruhe, with the hybrid participation of 100 participants from 15 Member States as well as Switzerland, UK and US, linked the two previous workshops. It focused on the research and innovation needs in order to ensure the sustained availability and innovation in the production of medical radionuclides, a cornerstone for the future of nuclear medicine within the EU. The discussions at the workshop in JRC Karlsruhe were enriched by the presence of key stakeholders covering the entire spectrum from academia, industry, research communities to health experts and policymakers, all united in their quest to bolster the EU as a nucleus of medical radionuclide research and supply. Objectives were not only to survey the current landscape of radiopharmaceutical production but also to ignite dialogue on emerging infrastructures and innovative methodologies that could redefine the paradigm of nuclear medicine. Through collaborative deliberation, the workshop aimed at initiating the development of an action plan that would - by addressing the impediments to efficient production and distribution of radionuclides - accelerate the transition from R&D to clinical application and fortify the EU's leadership in this vital healthcare sector.