Visakhapatnam: In a significant step toward transforming cancer care, Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone (AMTZ) has secured a license from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) for the commercial production and supply of radioisotopes at its state-of-the-art medical cyclotron facility. This first-of-its-kind facility in the region promises to revolutionize cancer diagnosis and nuclear medicine by ensuring timely, affordable access to critical diagnostic isotopes.
With an increasing number of multispecialty hospitals in Visakhapatnam offering advanced services like PET-CT scans, the demand for PET isotopes such as 18F-FDG, 68Ga, and 131I has surged. Previously, these isotopes had to be sourced from neighboring states, causing delays and higher costs. The new AMTZ cyclotron facility addresses these challenges by enabling faster, more cost-effective production, enhancing early diagnosis, and improving treatment outcomes for cancer patients.
Jitendra Sharma, MD and founder CEO of AMTZ, emphasized the facility’s transformative impact, saying, “This will enable timely access to life-saving diagnostics and foster advancements in cancer care across the region.” The facility, inaugurated in July by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, began full operations in January, serving hospitals and diagnostic centers across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and beyond.
