National Cyclotron Centre – Bulgaria

As part of a large-scale scientific infrastructure, the Cyclotron Centre will comprise of a building, containing the cyclotron accelerator, research laboratories for radiochemistry and radiopharmacy and a laboratory for applied research. The main building block of the plant is the cyclotron, along with its supporting equipment (vacuum pumps, power supplies, accelerated particle transfer lines, etc.). Apparatus such as hot cells/chambers with radiopharmaceutical synthesis modules will be housed in the synthesis rooms. Gas, liquid and thin-layer chromatography systems will be part of the quality control laboratory, along with apparatus for measuring the purity of finished radiopharmaceuticals and apparatus for microbiological control of waste products, etc.

Scientific and technical team of scientific infrastructure: Over 20

Impacts / Benefits:

  • Improved healthcare through timely and accurate medical diagnosis and access to affordable radiopharmaceutical products for all patients in need of diagnosis.
  •  The construction and operation of the NCC and the specialized laboratories will have a direct economic and social impact – reducing the cost to the end-user for purchasing highly specialized isotopes for the diagnosis and treatment of various types of cancer and neurological diseases. Currently, the country is spending € 10 million annually on the purchase of isotopes from other countries, without taking into account transportation costs.
  • Production of radiopharmaceuticals for the domestic and foreign market worth several million levs a year.
  •  Provides support for socially vulnerable groups of the society – in this case, oncology and other patients.
  • Provision of a new, up-to-date material base for research through the creation of three laboratories – radiochemical, quality control and microbiological – and the purchase of equipment of an innovative nature necessary for conducting scientific activity.
  • Training highly qualified specialists and creating a new generation of scientists and engineers.