Modular-Lab & Radiopharma Bulletin #2, 2015

Interview with Malene Brandt-Larsen, Ph.D., Radiochemist at Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen

Rigshospitalet Copenhagen is one of the biggest hospitals in Denmark and was the first user of our small synthesizer Modular-Lab eazy.  For more than one year they have been working with the system now – time to share their experiences and give some insights into their work.  Our interview partner Malene Brandt-Larsen owns a Ph.D. in organic chemistry and has 9 years of experience working in the radiochemistry field.  She is radiochemist at Rigshospitalets Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine & PET in Copenhagen and was so kind to answer our questions.

ML Bulletin: Malene, thank you for your time.  Can you give us an overview of how many patients are treated in Copenhagen in one year and what is the volume/percentage in relation to whole Denmark?
M. Brandt-Larsen: In 2014 693 patients were scanned with DOTA-conjugated peptides, which represents the majority of DOTA-peptide scans in Denmark.

ML Bulletin: What do you think about the future growth and potential of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging, especially in Denmark?
M. Brandt-Larsen: We generally experience an increased demand for radiopharmaceuticals for PET investigations. 68Ga-DOTA-conjugated peptides were very fast adapted into the clinic and have completely substituted the previously used SPECT imaging agents for neuroendocrine tumors at our hospital.

ML Bulletin: For how long have you been working with Eckert & Ziegler products/Modular-Lab?
M. Brandt-Larsen: We have been working with Modular-Lab synthesizers since 2012.

ML Bulletin: Copenhagen was the world’s first customer for the Modular-Lab eazy in April 2014. How did you experience this innovation?
M. Brandt-Larsen: The Modular Lab-eazy is very small and compact. This makes it quite easy to work with and easy to install. The software is similar to what we already knew from the PharmTracer system which made training very simple. The Modular Lab-eazy uses the acetone-free method which is different from the acetone based method we currently use on the PharmTracer module. This is nice since no test for acetone is necessary during QC. The system does not contain a SepPak purification cartridge which makes the process very simple and reduces the amount of ethanol in the final product. Quality control processes according to the guidelines of the European Pharmacopoeia confirm that the radiosynthesis has worked with a high yield to fulfill the requirements for radiopharmaceuticals.

ML Bulletin: In general, how many syntheses is your team performing within one week? How many of these are performed with Modular-Lab eazy?
M. Brandt-Larsen: We have five productions per week on the Modular-Lab PharmTracer. As several 68Ga-DOTA-peptide syntheses have been validated on Modular-Lab eazy, we will switch to that system in the near future. Furthermore a RGD-peptide is ready for validation on the eazy system as well.

ML Bulletin: Who is performing the syntheses, radiochemists, MTAs or both?
M. Brandt-Larsen: Both radiochemists and MTAs are working on the synthesizer.

ML Bulletin: How would you describe the handling of the Modular-Lab eazy and how long does it take to prepare the actual synthesis?
M. Brandt-Larsen: If you follow the synthesis instructions, the handling is very easy. The preparation itself takes a maximum of 15 minutes as the preparation steps are not complicated.

ML Bulletin: What do you think are the advantages of Modular-Lab eazy in comparison to Modular-Lab PharmTracer and other synthesis devices?
M. Brandt-Larsen: The system is small and compact and does not take up much space. Furthermore there is no need for external air/nitrogen supply. The preparation steps prior to the synthesis are quick and easy.

ML Bulletin: All in all, for what kind of users would you recommend the Modular-Lab eazy?
M. Brandt-Larsen: Due to easy handling, small size and short preparation time I think the Modular Lab-eazy is a very efficient way to produce radiopharmaceuticals such as 68Ga-DOTA-conjugated peptides for the clinic.

ML Bulletin: Thanks a lot for these interesting insights!