An Increasing Role for 68Ga PET Imaging: A Perspective on the Availability of Parent 68Ge Material for Generator Manufacturing in an Expanding Market

Abstract

The use of gallium-68 for molecular imaging is gaining momentum world-wide. While our understanding of 68 Ga chemistry, generators, and associated synthesis modules appear to have advanced to a clinically-reliable stage, uncertainty in the supply of radiopharmaceutically-suitable parent is of significant concern. In this work, we examine the current supply of 68 Ge in an effort to better understand the potential for expansion of manufacturing to meet an increasing demand for 68 Ga. Although specific information on sales and demand of 68 Ge is highly business sensitive and thus guarded, our examination finds no shortage in the current supply of 68 Ge. On the other hand, increases in the use of 68 Ge generators for clinical applications in the United States point to the need for continued support for production at DOE laboratories in the United States to ensure a reliable supply and suggests that new commercial facilities may be needed to meet the increasing demand.