Molecular Imaging and Therapy Research Unit (MITRU)

MITRU is dedicated to the research, development and manufacture of radiopharmaceuticals.

The unit is licensed by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) as a manufacturer of radiopharmaceuticals which are supplied daily to hospitals and imaging centres all over Australia.

MITRU is increasingly supplying radiopharmaceuticals for research purposes including clinical trials.

The TGA undertakes regular audits of MITRU to ensure adherence to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and that all guidance provided by the TGA is being followed.

Imaging

MITRU specialises in positron emission tomography (PET) imaging tracers. These tracers bind to target cells in the body and emit radiation which is detected by a PET scanner at the imaging facility.

The scanner then combines the reading with a CT scan of the patient to show where in the body the target cells are located.

MITRU is licensed to provide [¹⁸F]FDG, [¹⁸F]NaF and [¹⁸F]PSMA-1007 to hospitals and imaging centres in Australia that hold a supply agreement with SAHMRI.

Therapy

MITRU is a specialist manufacturer of Lutetium-177 [ ¹⁷⁷Lu] based therapies.

Once administered to the patient, these therapy agents bind to the target cell (typically cancerous cells) and emit radiation. The radiation destroys the cell that it is bound to without irradiating surrounding tissues.

MITRU supplies [¹⁷⁷Lu]PSMA-617 to imaging centres registered for particular clinical trials only and can supply [¹⁷⁷Lu]PSMA I&T to imaging centres in South Australia for eligible patients under the Special Access Scheme (SAS).