About
NuMeRI Radiopharmacy, centre for radiopharmaceutical production, houses a state-of-the-art cyclotron for producing high-quality radionuclides used to produce various radiopharmaceuticals. We boast an exceptionally talented team of Radiopharmacists, and Radiochemists committed to advancing the field. Our primary focus is on providing customised solutions for targeted therapeutics and diagnostic imaging while maintaining safety, quality and effectiveness. With state-of-the-art technology and specialised knowledge, NuMeRI Radiopharmacy, is dedicated to clinical and research excellence. We are committed to leading the way in revolutionising patient care.
Objectives
- Produce high-quality radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic and therapeutic use under rigorous QC and GMP principles.
- Serve as NuMeRI's radiochemistry research hub to develop and evaluate novel tracers.
- Support clinical services and investigator-led clinical trials with compliant production.
- Provide training for radiopharmacists and radiochemists and continuous quality assessment.
- Collaborate with academic and industry partners to advance nuclear medicine innovation.
Cyclotron (Production of Radionuclides)
- Kiube 18MeV Cyclotron with 8 individual ports. This makes it possible for us to produce several different isotopes on one day. We can provide different isotopes on the same day to different groups of researchers/trials.
- Twin proton source – give us the ability to switch between proton sources during operation – leads to 99% uptime.
- We can produce isotopes from liquid, gas or solid targets.
Radiopharmacy Hot Lab (Production of Radiopharmaceuticals)
- Fully automated dispensing system, very accurate and safe for operators.
- Fitted with a variety of fully automated GMP-approved GE and Trasis synthesis units. This enables us to produce radiopharmaceuticals for a larger variety of clinical trials with limited radiation exposure (lower than expected for radiation workers).
- 8 Hot cells make it possible to produce, for example, several batches of F-18 radiopharmaceuticals, C-11, Ga-68 and some radionuclides from solid targets like Cu-64
Quality Control
- Quality Control functions assures the quality of all the batches manufactured, at every stage of manufacturing/processing radiopharmaceutical products.
- Equipped with high-end chromatographic systems and radio-detectors to ensure the quality of radionuclides and radiopharmaceuticals.
- Development of novel analytical methods and conducts analytical method validations against predefined standards.
The Heart of Nuclear Medicine
Our state-of-the-art Radiopharmacy facility serves as the centerpiece of NuMeRI's operations, enabling the production and quality control of radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic imaging and therapeutic applications. Led by a team of experienced radiopharmacists and radiochemists, our facility adheres to the highest standards of quality and safety.
The Radiopharmacy serves as both a production facility for clinical applications and a research hub where new radiopharmaceuticals are developed, evaluated, and refined. This dual role positions us at the forefront of nuclear medicine innovation in South Africa and beyond.
Our Equipment
- -20° Freezer
- -80° Ult Freezer
- Agilent 1260 HPLC
- Agilent 7890 GC
- Agilent Cary 630 FTIR
- Automatic gamma counter
- Automatic TLC scanner
- Capintec dose calibrator
- Class II B2 Biosafety cabinet
- Comecer hot cells
- Eckert & Ziegler modular-lab
- Gallium-68 generator
- GE Fastlab
- GE Tracerlab FX2
- Germanium-68/Gallium-68 generator
- Grade A isolator
- IAEA-donated hot cell
- ICP-MS
- ITG Isotope generator
- Karl Storz endoscope
- Laminar flow cabinet
- LC-MS
- Lead-shielded fume hood
- Microwave
- Olympus microscope
- Perkin Elmer HPLC
- Radobio
- Rotary evaporator
- Scintomics GRP
- Trasis All-in-one
Diagnostic Services
Production of radiopharmaceuticals according to prescribed protocols.
Quality control of all radiopharmaceuticals dispensed.
Therapeutic Services
Production of targeted therapeutical peptides (TTP) to be administered within the clinical theranostic research centre.
Clinical Trials Production and Radiopharmacy Training Centre
Our state-of-the-art facilities are equipped to produce a wide range of radiopharmaceuticals tailored for clinical trials as per investigators protocols. To guarantee that every product satisfies the exacting standards needed for human use, we follow GMP rules. To expedite the production process and enable prompt and effective trial execution, our skilled staff collaborates directly with researchers.
Collaboration is essential to innovation. To promote the development of novel radiopharmaceuticals and imaging methods, our division regularly collaborates with educational institutions and research groups. By working together on research projects, papers, and symposiums, we are dedicated to exchanging ideas and developing the area.
Support Services
- Consulting
- Training of Radiopharmacists
- Training of Radiochemists
- Continuous quality assessment of services rendered
Common Isotopes Used
Diagnostic: Tc, I, Ga, F
Therapeutic: Ac, Lu, At
Team Members
Highlights
Targeted Alpha Therapy in Cancer Management
Mdanda, S., Mdlophane, A., Ndlovu, H., Ramonaheng, K., Qebetu, M., Mahapane, J., Kgatle, M., Mzizi, Y., Sebatana, R., Cele, Z.E.D., Zeevaart, J.R. & Sathekge, M.M. (2023). Targeted Alpha Therapy in Cancer Management: Therapeutic Prospects of Nuclear Medicine in Oncology. In: Interdisciplinary Cancer Research. Springer, Cham.
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Insights into Peptidoglycan-Targeting Radiotracers for Imaging Bacterial Infections
Koatale, P. C., Welling, M. M., Ndlovu, H., Kgatle, M., Mdanda, S., Mdlophane, A., Okem, A., Takyi-Williams, J., Sathekge, M. M., & Ebenhan, T. (2024). Insights into Peptidoglycan-Targeting Radiotracers for Imaging Bacterial Infections: Updates, Challenges, and Future Perspectives. ACS infectious diseases, 10(2), 270–286.
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Recent Innovations and Nano-Delivery of Actinium-225
Mdanda, S., Ngema, L.M., Mdlophane, A., Sathekge, M.M., & Zeevaart, J.R. (2023). Recent Innovations and Nano-Delivery of Actinium-225: A Narrative Review. Pharmaceutics, 15(6):1719.
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Nanolioposomes as Smart Radiopharmaceutical Delivery Tools for Imaging Atherosclerotic Plaques
Sebetana, R., Kudzai, K.D., Magura, A., Mdlophane, A., Zeevart, J.R., Sathekge, M.M., Khats, M., Mdanda, S., Witika, B.A. (2025). An insight to nanolioposomes as smart Radiopharmaceutical Delivery Tools for imaging Atherosclerotic Plaques: Position Emission tomography Applications. Pharmaceutics, 12(2), 240.
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Awards & Nominations
1. Dr. M. Shungube was selected as 1 of young talented black scientists emerging from the science system in the 30 years since our first democratic election.
2. Ms MA Mokoena Best Radiopharmacy oral presentation. 'Development of Quality Control procedures for various Actinium-225 PSMA Radiopharmaceuticals produced at NuMeRI. South African Society of Nuclear Medicine Congress, 2025
Appointment: Topic Editor
Dr S. Mdanda - Frontiers in Nuclear Medicine: Radiopharmaceuticals and Nanotechnology - Theragnostic Applications.
Appointment: Extraordinary Lecturer
Dr A. Mdlophane & Dr S. Mdanda - University of Pretoria, Nuclear Medicine Department.