WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) issued a cooperative agreement worth $13 million to a Michigan company to support the commercial production of molybdenum-99 (Mo-99), a critical isotope used in more than 40,000 medical procedures in the United States each day, including the diagnosis of heart disease and cancer.
The agreement with Niowave Inc. of Lansing, Michigan, will help establish a reliable supply of Mo-99 without the need to use highly enriched uranium (HEU), which presents nuclear security and proliferation concerns.
“This cooperative agreement will enable Niowave to scale up their innovative Mo-99 production technology and bring it to market,” said Jill Hruby, DOE Under Secretary for Nuclear Security and NNSA Administrator. “Today’s award is another step towards establishing a diverse and resilient production base here in the United States for this important medical isotope.”