# Automated Cassette-Based Radiosynthesis Equipment

> **NIH NIH S10** · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · 2021 · $201,440

## Abstract

Project Summary
This application requests funding to support the purchase of a modernized automated PET radiochemistry
cassette synthesis platform for PET radiotracer production. The system will be installed at the Vanderbilt
University Institute of Imaging Science’s Radiochemistry Core (RCC) facility; a core that allows access to
research radiotracers for use on three human PET/CT imaging systems, two pre-clinical PET imaging systems
and a variety of other end uses. The core also offers expertise in allowing investigators to develop novel
radiotracers for routine production. The RCC currently operates a GE TRACERLab MX module as the main GMP
production module for a number of heavily utilized radiotracers. However, the TRACERLab MX, a 30-year-old,
early-generation automated cassette radiosynthesis module with dated performance and declining health, has
outlasted its projected use and both parts and service are no longer available. Thus, the proposed GE Fastlab 2
with HPLC+ was chosen to replace the existing and obsolete TRACERLab MX. Breakage of the TRACERLab
MX would cause major disruptions to the core’s ability to support all ongoing NIH-funded studies that use
radiotracers produced on this module. The Fastlab 2 with HPLC+ will substantially advance our radiotracer
production capabilities, especially with the addition of the HPLC purification system married to a cassette-based
radiosynthesis module. This upgraded capability would allow for more reliable production of some of the most
requested radiotracers and allow for smooth integration of newly developed radiotracers to support ongoing
future NIH-funded research. The proposed system will be placed in the radiochemistry core and used to support
current and future NIH-funded research ranging from studying the molecular basis of cancer, cardiovascular,
and neurological diseases to developing novel therapeutic approaches.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10177621
- **Project number:** 1S10OD030436-01
- **Recipient organization:** VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Todd E Peterson
- **Activity code:** S10 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $201,440
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-06-01 → 2022-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10177621

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10177621, Automated Cassette-Based Radiosynthesis Equipment (1S10OD030436-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-29 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10177621. Licensed CC0.

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