The key facts
- Vladimir Putin approved the creation of a nuclear medicine center in Gatchina; five hectares of land were allocated next to the Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute
- A plant producing radionuclides for medical institutions across Russia is planned to be built
- By 2030, Russia plans to bring eight domestic radiopharmaceutical drugs to the market
Presidential approval and allocated land
Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved the creation of a large-scale research and production center for nuclear medicine in Gatchina, Leningrad Region. This was announced by Mikhail Kovalchuk, head of the National Research Center Kurchatov Institute, during the plenary session of the Kurchatov Genomic Forum, reports Life.ru. According to him, five hectares of land have already been allocated for the construction of the complex next to the Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute. “We have already received the president’s approval. We have been allocated 5 hectares of land in Gatchina near the institute,” the outlet quotes Kovalchuk as saying.
Radionuclide plant and plans for drugs
A large radionuclide production plant is planned to be built on the territory of the future center. The facility is expected to supply this product to medical institutions across Russia. Radionuclides and radiopharmaceuticals are used in nuclear medicine for the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases.
Context: domestic radiopharmaceuticals
Earlier, Life.ru reported, citing the Ministry of Industry and Trade, that by 2030, Russia plans to bring eight domestic radiopharmaceutical drugs to the market, intended for serial production. In addition, by the end of 2026, a drug based on lutetium-177, which is undergoing pharmaceutical expertise, is expected to reach the market. Thus, the decision on the center in Gatchina aligns with the broader state task of developing the production of domestic nuclear medicine products — from radionuclide manufacturing to serially produced drugs.
