This action aims to mitigate supply risks by establishing the secure and sustainable production of stable isotopes. These include Yb-176, which is essential for Lu-177 manufacturing and is the main component of radiopharmaceuticals like Lutetium-177-PSMA (used to treat prostate cancer) and Lutetium-177 Dotatate (used in therapies against neuroendocrine tumours). The production of other stable radioisotopes to produce emerging alpha and beta emitters for targeted radiotherapy is considered in this call (e.g. Gadolinium (Gd) essential for Terbium (Tb) isotopes manufacturing). This will widen the portfolio of therapeutic radioisotopes and theragnostic pairs of radioisotopes in order to provide patients with personalised options in nuclear medicine for both diagnostics and therapy.

A key objective is to develop innovative, scalable and cost-effective methods for producing stable isotopes (particularly Yb-176), thereby reducing dependency on external suppliers and enhancing strategic autonomy. Ensuring a consistent and reliable isotope supply will enhance nuclear medicine therapies, thus benefit patients while strengthening the EU’s long-term resilience in the field. Interdisciplinary collaboration will be essential in achieving this goal.

The initiative should also foster partnerships with industry, policymakers and healthcare professionals, thus ensuring a comprehensive approach that aligns production capacity with clinical and commercial needs. Engaging stakeholders throughout the nuclear medicine value chain will enhance feasibility, scalability and market integration.

In addition to securing isotope supply, this action should stimulate innovation, attract investment and drive economic growth, thus reinforcing the EU’s leadership in nuclear medicine while also creating new opportunities in the sector.

This action should focus on closer-to-the-market activities (including prototyping, testing, demonstrating, piloting and scaling up new or improved products or processes). Proposals may include limited R&D activities. Activities are expected to focus on technology readiness levels 5 to 7 (indicative but not mandatory, depending on the innovative potential of the field).

The Commission recommends that consortia should use the JRC’s services where appropriate. The JRC may participate in the preparation and submission of the proposal. The JRC would bear the operational costs for its own staff and research infrastructure operational costs. The JRC’s facilities and expertise are listed in General Annex H to this work programme.