Gallium-68 (Ga-68) is a radioactive positron-emitting isotope of gallium with a half-life of about 68 minutes. This short half-life makes it suitable for use in positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, where it can be administered to patients rapidly and degraded without significant residual gas Ga-68 is derived from germanium-68 (Ge-68) by a generator system, where the mother-. The parent isotope, Ge-68, decays to Ga-68.
In PET imaging, Ga-68 has received much attention in recent years due to its versatility and excellent atomic properties. Radiopharmaceuticals labeled with Ga-68 can target specific biological processes or molecular systems in the body, providing valuable diagnostic information. Typically, these radiopharmaceuticals contain target molecules that are combined with Ga-68 to form a stable complex The main advantage of Ga-68 is its ability to interact with a wide range of molecular targets, enabling the synthesis of various radiopharmaceuticals for therapeutic use e.g., using Ga-68-DOTATATE imaging of neuroendocrine tumors. Because it binds to somatostatin receptors overexpressed on the surface of these tumors and targets prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) expression on prostate cancer cells, Ga-68-PSMA is used to simulate prostate cancer.
The clinical use of Ga-68 PET imaging is broad and continues to expand. In oncology, Ga-68 PET is used to detect, stage and monitor various cancers, including neuroendocrine tumors, prostate cancer, breast cancer, etc. It provides valuable information about the location, location of the tumor to its physiological function, in therapeutic process, clinical response It also helps in diagnosis.
In addition, Ga-68 PET imaging has applications beyond oncology. In cardiac arrest, it can be used to measure myocardial perfusion and monitor cardiac function. Furthermore, Ga-68 PET has shown promise in neuroscience for detecting neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, with specific molecular targets identified for imaging.
Research on Ga-68 continues, with ongoing efforts focused on developing new radiopharmaceuticals and optimizing imaging systems. There is also interest in exploring medical applications for Ga-68, where the same radiopharmaceutical can be used for imaging and targeted therapy Furthermore, efforts are being made to increase the production of Ga-68 and improve and expand access to generators to ensure greater availability for clinical use. Overall, gallium-68 plays a central role in modern nuclear medicine, offering unparalleled opportunities for molecular imaging and drug personalization Its versatility, degradation efficiency, and clinical efficacy make it a valuable diagnostic and management tool for a wide variety of diseases.
Top 10 Gallium-68 companies:
1. Novartis AG
Novartis is a multinational pharmaceutical corporation situated in Switzerland. It is certainly one of the largest pharmaceutical organizations internationally, recognized for its consciousness of research, improvement, and advertising of innovative capsules in various healing areas, such as oncology, cardiology, neuroscience, and immunology. Novartis has a numerous portfolio of products and is involved in the improvement of novel treatments, together with biologics and gene treatment plans.
2. Telix Pharmaceuticals (US) Inc
Telix Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company targeted at the development and commercialization of molecularly centered radiation (MTR) merchandise for the diagnosis and remedy of most cancers. The corporation’s pipeline includes radiopharmaceuticals for prostate cancers, kidney cancers, and glioblastoma, among others. Telix’s ambitions to cope with unmet medical demands in oncology include leveraging molecular imaging and centered radiation therapy.
3. IRE-ELiT SA
IRE-ELiT is a Belgian company specializing in the production and distribution of radiopharmaceuticals for nuclear medication applications. It focuses on developing innovative diagnostic and therapeutic products, inclusive of radioisotopes for PET imaging and focused radionuclide remedies. IRE-ELiT ambitions to enhance patient care with the aid of providing advanced nuclear medication answers for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and different illnesses.
4. ITM Medical Isotopes GmbH
ITM Medical Isotopes is a German biotechnology company dedicated to the development and manufacture of radiopharmaceuticals for precision oncology and nuclear medicine The company’s proprietary technology pathway for cancer imaging and targeted therapy with gallium-68 and lutetium-177 along with enabling the development of new radioisotopes and radiopharmaceuticals ITM Medical Isotopes aims to advance personalized medicine through innovative nuclear medicine solutions.
5. Eckert & Ziegler Radiopharma GmbH
Eckert & Ziegler Radiopharma is a division of the Eckert & Ziegler Group, specializing in the development and supply of radiopharmaceuticals for nuclear medicine The company provides high-precision radiotracers for PET imaging and targeted radionuclide therapy built on, including fluorine-18, gallium-68 for and other radioisotopes Current is committed to providing high-quality radiopharmaceuticals to support physicians.
6. ARTMS Inc
ARTMS is a Canadian company that develops new technologies for the production of radioisotopes for use in nuclear medicine, primarily technetium-99m (Tc-99m) produced by cyclotrons enabling the Company to produce Tc-99m for circuit use internally and sustainable, addressing supply chain challenges and the importance of reliable medical imaging Radiotracers Ensures that.
7. IBA Radiopharma Solutions
IBA Radiopharma Solutions, a division of the Ion Beam Applications (IBA) Group, provides comprehensive solutions in the manufacture and distribution of radiopharmaceuticals for molecular imaging and targeted radionuclide therapy The Company uses cyclotron systems, radiopharmaceutical manufacturing devices, and radiopharmacy services are provided in support of nuclear medicine products.
8. Cardinal Health
Cardinal Health is a global healthcare services and manufacturing company based in the United States. It operates in the areas of drug delivery, medical product development, and healthcare solutions. Cardinal Health provides a variety of services to healthcare providers including drug dispensing, inventory management, and medical equipment procurement.
9. Rosatom
Rosatom is a state-owned Russian nuclear company operating in the fields of nuclear energy, nuclear medicine, and nuclear technology. The company is involved in uranium mining, nuclear power plant construction, nuclear fuel production, and the manufacture of nuclear chemical solutions, including radiopharmaceuticals and medical isotopes,
10. Evergreen Theragnostics Inc
Evergreen Theragnostics is a biotechnology company focused on developing theranostic radiopharmaceuticals for precision oncology. The company’s pipeline includes targeted radioligands for cancer imaging and therapy, with special emphasis on prostate cancer and neuroendocrine tumors Evergreen Theragnostics aims to improve patient outcomes through therapy personalized and targeted delivery based on molecular imaging studies.