Research and Development of Nuclear Molecular Imaging in Taiwan

Abstract

Nuclear Molecular Imaging enables in vivo characterization and measurement of biologic processes at the cellular and molecular level. This technique contributes to improving the treatment of disorders as well as facilitating in drug discovery and development. The facilities and technologies for developing molecular probes have been established in Taiwan. Institute of Nuclear Energy Research (INER) has built a compact cyclotron and Radiopharmaceutical Production Center, a factory in compliance with the cGMP regulations. In view of the potentialities of molecular imaging in drug discovery and development, INER has set up dedicated imaging facilities including microPET, microSPECT, microCT, and optical imaging. These facilities offer state-of-the-art imaging technology, not only supporting INERs research projects but also providing imaging services for domestic pharmaceutical industry or research institutes. The nuclear imaging research and development in Taiwan covers many fields including (1) development of radiopharmaceuticals for imaging central nervous system disorders, (2) development of radiopharmaceuticals for cancer imaging, (3) development of therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals targeting to specific cancer, and (4) establishment of imaging platforms for drug discovery and development. Up to now INER has commercialized 15 radiopharmaceuticals such as 99mTc-TRODAT-1, Thallum- 201, 18F-FDG‥ etc. INER also develops some radiopharmaceuticals like 123I-ADAM for depression imaging, 18F-FLT for DNA synthesis, 123I-IBZM for Dopamine D2 receptor, 18F-FDDNP for β-amyloid plaques imaging ‥ etc. Nanotechnology imaging will soon be established in Taiwan, we are engaged in developing 188Re-GalNAC-Folic acid nanoparticle and targeted and combined therapies for the management of specific cancers. By integrating domestic resources and collaboration with international researchers and physicians, we will continuously devote ourselves to exploration of the mechanisms of neuropsychiatric diseases, development of the radiopharmaceuticals for cancer diagnosis or treatment, and establishment of molecular imaging platforms for providing drug evaluation service.