1st PPP Research Reactor For Production Of Nuclear Medicines

1st PPP Research Reactor For Production Of Nuclear Medicines

Part of: GS Prelims and GS- II – Health & GS-III – Sci & Tech

In news 

• Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), the premier research organization of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), has evolved a design for the first PPP Research Reactor for production of Nuclear Medicines.

Key takeaways

• In the proposed partnership, the private entities will get exclusive rights to process and market the isotopes produced in the research reactor, in lieu of investing in the reactor and processing facilities.
• Background: In May 2020, Union Finance Minister announced establishment of a Research Reactor in PPP mode for production of medical isotopes as a part of Aatma Nirbhar Bharat initiatives for DAE.

• This project will be a major step towards making India self-reliant in key radio isotopes used in medical and industrial applications.
• Globally, nuclear medicine is a USD 6 Billion market and is expected to grow rapidly to reach USD 30 Billion by 2030. India produces all major isotopes in the country under the aegis of BARC.