# Automated Multi-run Carbon-11 Radiosynthesis System

> **NIH NIH S10** · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · 2024 · $609,250

## Abstract

Project Summary
This application requests funding to support the purchase of a new PET radiochemistry synthesis system for the
production of investigational carbon-11 radiotracers. 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. Currently, the RCC operates a GE TRACERlab FXc Pro as the sole automated system
capable of manufacture of carbon-11 radiotracers, which are extensively utilized by Vanderbilt researchers.
Specifically, [11C]PIB, a radiotracer targeting beta-amyloid, is currently produced at maximum capacity with this
single-system and additional capacity for manufacture of carbon-11 radiotracers is in high demand. Additional
carbon-11 capacity would allow for higher throughput for pre-clinical and clinical research at Vanderbilt and
support further projects that would not only benefit Vanderbilt researchers, but also maximize the use of the PET
scanners at VUIIS. Furthermore, breakage or extended down-time of the FXc Pro would cause major disruptions
to the core’s ability to support all ongoing and future NIH-funded studies that use carbon-11 radiotracers. Thus,
the proposed carbon-11 production system was chosen to augment the current carbon-11 capacity. The selected
system, composed of a FX2 MeI, FX2 M, and FASTlab 2, would substantially advance our radiotracer production
capabilities to support ongoing and future NIH-funded research. The addition of the FASTlab 2 portion of the
combined system allows for dual-productions of [11C]PIB in a single setup, which would enable multiple dual-
tracer studies (amyloid/tau) to be conducted in a single day. This upgraded capability would provide more reliable
production of some of the most requested radiotracers and allow for smooth integration of newly developed
radiotracers to support ongoing 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:** 10854402
- **Project number:** 1S10OD036385-01
- **Recipient organization:** VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Todd E Peterson
- **Activity code:** S10 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $609,250
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-09-01 → 2026-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10854402

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10854402, Automated Multi-run Carbon-11 Radiosynthesis System (1S10OD036385-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10854402. Licensed CC0.

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