The Appointment of our Scientific Officer

Cyclife Aquila Nuclear have been involved in the nuclear industry for the past 40 years with experience from every licensed nuclear site in the UK. Within the nuclear medicine sector, we have had an enviable track record in the design, manufacture, and installation of radiopharmaceutical systems throughout Europe. With our growing expertise and reputation, we are committed to being thought leaders within the nuclear medicine sector.

CAN’s Involvement in the Nuclear Medicine Sector

So, what is nuclear medicine and how are CAN involved? Nuclear medicine is a medical speciality that uses radioactive materials, known as radioisotopes or radiopharmaceuticals, to either treat or diagnose medical conditions by inserting the nuclear substance into the body. Once the substance is either ingested, inhaled, or injected into the body the doctor will begin taking photographs using Positron Emission Tomography (PET) or Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT). This will then flag an abnormality and result in a diagnosis. The same substance can also be used to treat medical conditions such as cancer. This revolutionary technology makes the nuclear medicine sector an exciting one to be a part of.

Dave Barker, Director of Strategy, recognises the importance of being a part of this sector and goes on to tell us about CAN’s involvement: “CAN serves all nuclear sectors including the ever-advancing field of nuclear medicines. At CAN we work with hospitals and research organisations throughout Europe. CAN specialises in the development of processes integrated within hot cells for new radioisotopes for diagnostics and therapy. The latest technologies include targeted alpha therapies which have the possibility of revolutionising treatment for cancer patients.”

You can read more about our work here: CAN & Nuclear Medicine

The Appointment of our Scientific Officer

With the global direction in targeted alpha therapies, we decided to appoint a Scientific Officer, a brand-new role to CAN. Amin Choudhury joined CAN in May this year, he supports our engineering capability in the radiochemical and clinical aspects of radiopharmaceutical production. Amin also supports the commercial and delivery teams, providing leadership in nuclear medicine technology as well as shaping our progress into the growing nuclear medicine market globally.
Amin also develops relationships with academia, clients, the supply chain, and trade bodies to help Nuclear Medicine capabilities and services at CAN. Here is what he has to say about joining CAN with details on his past experiences and what he has brought to the team so far:

“I have over 6 years of GMP experience, including; 4 years of Nuclear Medicine experience, over a year in ATMP (Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products) and most recently, Irradiation of Medical Devices. My Nuclear Medicine experience includes cyclotron produced F18 products which were terminally sterilised in autoclaves -to- Ga68 products from generators which were manufactured under aseptic conditions. The most valuable experience I have is being part of a new-build project to open a radiopharmacy in London where I enhanced my knowledgeable in Validation systems and Quality Systems. A skill I am proud to carry forward into my role as Scientific Officer is Innovation, where I have practical experience in modifying HotCells to meet the needs of operations and regulations, and practical experience working with various chemistry modules and dispensing modules within these isolators. I see my role as a bridge between CAN and the client, where the knowledge in Nuclear Medicine provides trust and support for the client when searching for solutions with CAN, additionally, with the renewed in-house knowledge, CAN offers pragmatic and innovative solutions to the Nuclear Medicine industry in an effective and assured manner.”

Over the past few months, Amin has demonstrated a real depth of experience which is helping us achieve a stronger understanding of Nuclear Medicine and how we can enhance our solutions and capabilities to serve our clients, showcasing our commitment to being thought leaders within the sector.

Strengthening our Knowledge

Another way we have been strengthening our knowledge is through industry events and conferences. In May, Dave Barker, Director of Strategy and Paul Adlem, Customer Manager flew out to Belfast to attend the British Nuclear Medicine Society’s (BNMS) Annual Spring Meeting. The conference explored pioneering innovations in Nuclear Medicine, Therapeutics and Diagnostics and continually serves as a central hub for professionals and organisations dedicated to nuclear medicine. Amin and Paul will also be attending the BNMS Autumn Meeting later in October.

CAN’S presence at these events highlight our crucial commitment to innovation, research, and development in the realm of life-saving nuclear therapeutics and diagnostics. A core aspect of our mission is our ability to ensure timely availability and safe handling of nuclear materials crucial for nuclear medical advancements. Handling radioactive materials requires stringent safety protocols and state-of-the-art facilities to prevent contamination and ensure the well-being of researchers and patients. Our facilities are equipped with advanced technology to manage these risks effectively, supporting the continuous innovation of diagnostic and therapeutic methods.

We are thrilled about the future of Nuclear Medicine at CAN, our growing expertise in the nuclear medicine sector positions us as a key player. Now with Amin on the team, we can further strengthen our knowledge and capabilities, solidifying our role as thought leaders in the industry.

Paul and Dave at the BNMS Annual Spring Meeting 2024