Cyclotron production of 68Ga and "in house" preparation of positron emission tomography (PET) radiopharmaceuticals

Solid targets and a medical cyclotron were used for the large-scale preparation of 68 Ga. The target preparation, proton irradiation of a 68 Zn-enriched target, dissolution of the target, separation of 68 Ga from zinc, and labelling procedure for the [ 68 Ga]Ga-DOTATOC, [ 68 Ga]Ga-DOTANOC, and [ 68 Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 radiopharmaceutical are presented. The radiopharmaceuticals were prepared with a good manufacturing practices quality of up to 6 GBq of the final product per batch at the end of synthesis (EOS) time. A quality control of 68 Ga-labelled tracers showed an acceptable radiochemical purity and stable product at least five hours after the EOS. A separation procedure for the effective separation of 68 Ga from an iron interferent was developed.