Journal of Labelled Compounds and Radiopharmaceuticals J Label Compd Radiopharm 2007; 50: 312–317. Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI: 10.1002/jlcr.1203 JLCR Short Research Article IAEA activities in support of production and utilization of radioisotope labelled compounds y NATESAN RAMAMOORTHY*, MAROOR RAGHAVAN AMBIKALMAJAN PILLAI, JOON-HA JIN and SEYED MOHAMMAD HAJI-SAEID Division of Physical and Chemical Sciences (NAPC), Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications (NA), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), A-1400 Vienna, Austria Received 24 August 2006; Revised 22 November 2006; Accepted 23 November 2006 Abstract: The development of a large variety of radioisotope labelled compounds as well as the ability to design and prepare specific products forms the basis for several important applications in medicine, industry and research. As a part of the IAEA’s role in fostering the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology, the IAEA’s Division of Physical and Chemical Sciences has focused attention on the important classes of compounds such as, fluorine-18 products; technetium-99m labelled complexes; products for radionuclide therapy of yttrium-90, samarium-153, lutetium-177 and rhenium-186/188; industrial radiotracers based on bromine-82 labelled compounds, tritiated water and carbon-14 labelled thiocyanate. A number of coordinated research projects (CRP) and technical cooperation projects have been implemented for this purpose. Thematic technical and consultancy meetings have been held to review the status and prepare technical documents on specific topics of interest for developing Member States (MS). These measures have contributed to several developing MS acquiring/enhancing expertise in building local facilities and capability in the production and utilization of radioisotope labelled compounds. Copyright # 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Keywords: radioisotope; labelled; radiopharmaceutical; radiotracer Introduction The IAEA has been helping the developing Member States (MS) during the last several decades towards capacity building for local production of radioisotopes and for cost effective and large scale applications in nuclear medicine. Owing to the Agency programs in the above areas, several member states have success- fully built radioisotope programs catering to the local needs of radiopharmaceuticals including 99m Tc gen- erators, cold kits and cyclotron based SPECT and PET radiopharmaceuticals. Radiotracers have been widely used throughout the industry to optimize processes, trouble-shooting, improve product quality, save energy and reduce pollution. Their technical, economical and environ- mental benefits have been well demonstrated and recognized by the industrial and environmental sectors. The Agency has helped interested developing MS in this area by supporting development, production and utilization of industrial radiotracers. A number of coordinated research projects (CRP) and technical cooperation (TC) projects have been imple- mented for the above purpose. Thematic technical and consultancy meetings have been held to review the status and prepare technical documents on specific topics of interest for developing MS. This paper covers the highlights of such activities implemented recently by the IAEA for the benefit of developing MS. Radioisotope labelled compounds for application in medicine The success of the completed CRP in the area of radiopharmaceuticals is based on many countries *Correspondence to: Natesan Ramamoorthy, Division of Physical and Chemical Sciences (NAPC), Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications (NA), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), A-1400 Vienna, Austria. E-mail: n.ramamoorthy@iaea.com y Proceedings of the Ninth International Symposium on the Synthesis and Applications of Isotopically Labelled Compounds, Edinburgh, 16–20 July 2006. Copyright # 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.