iMiGiNE – Automated Radiopharmaceutical Production System
Bringing Advanced Radiopharmaceuticals Closer to Patients
Nuclear medicine is transforming disease diagnosis and patient care. By using advanced imaging techniques such as Positron Emission Tomography (PET), clinicians can observe the molecular and metabolic activity of organs in real time. PET imaging relies on radiopharmaceuticals – radioactive tracers produced with a cyclotron – to enable precise molecular imaging possible. This is exactly why iMiGiNE® system, part of the Alcen for Health division, was designed: to simplify and localize the production of radiopharmaceuticals, expand access to clinically relevant tracers, and empower medical centers and research facilities to deliver more precise, personalized diagnostics and treatments.
iMiGiNE: Beyond Current Limits
- iMiGiNE® brings radiopharmaceutical production closer to clinical and research centers, expanding access to PET tracers
- It combines a cyclotron iMiTRACE® with a radiochemistry room iMiLAB®
- The system provides an integrated, fully automated and traceable workflow, from isotope production to syringe filling, with minimal human intervention
- It supports more diagnosis and personalized patient care
iMiGiNE® was born from a clear observation: the variety and accessibility of radiopharmaceuticals available today are limited, restricting treatment options and patient care.
Today, radiopharmaceutical supply is largely limited to a few molecules, despite more than 200 being of potential clinical interest. Centralized production facilities and distribution constraints — particularly for short half-life tracers — significantly limit access to more specific radiopharmaceuticals. To address this challenge, AVELION developed iMiGiNE® to bring radiopharmaceutical production closer to medical centers and research facilities, providing an effective alternative to traditional, heavy production infrastructures.
Born from the combined expertise of AVELION’s Medical Systems Division and leading academic and industrial partners (CEA and SigmaPhi), and supported by Bpifrance, iMiGiNE® is a breakthrough solution designed to transform access to PET imaging and personalized diagnostics.
The system combines an iMiTRACE® cyclotron with a fully robotized iMiLAB® radiochemistry room, offering an integrated and automated production workflow. Designed for simplicity and efficiency, iMiGiNE® requires minimal human resources. From isotope production to syringe filling, the entire process is fully automated, ensuring traceability, reliability, and operational ease.
Ultimately, iMiGiNE® contributes to improved patient care. Access to a broader range of specific radiopharmaceuticals, enables healthcare centers to better characterize diseases, precisely monitor their progression, and accurately assess the effectiveness of treatment plans.
iMiTRACE®- Cyclotron
- 12 MeV cyclotron optimized for production of 18F, 11C, 13N and 68Ga for PET imaging.
- 4 External, self-shielded targets providing flexibility, safety and easy maintenance
- Compact and lightweight design, ideal for installation in hospital environments and imaging centers
iMiTRACE® is a compact, lightweight and high-performance medical cyclotron specifically designed for PET imaging centers and research facilities, enabling on-site production of key radioisotopes for diagnostic imaging. Its innovative design incorporates four external, fully self-shielded targets. Accelerating particles up to 12 MeV, it provides the optimal energy for the routine production of ¹⁸F, ¹¹C, ¹³N and ⁶⁸Ga, covering the vast majority of PET radiopharmaceutical needs.
iMiLAB®- Radiochemistry
- Compact, self-shielded and GMP-compliant radiochemistry room
- Multiple radiopharmaceuticals produced with 18F, 11C, 68Ga and more
- Fully automated workflow operated by a 6-axis robot, from synthesis to syringe filling
- Minimal staff requirement, reduced radiation exposure
iMiLAB® is a compact, self-shielded and GMP-compliant radiochemistry room designed to enable the on-site production of a wide range of PET radiopharmaceuticals. Based on innovative microfluidic technology, it allows the automated synthesis of multiple tracers labeled with isotopes such as ¹⁸F, ¹¹C and ⁶⁸Ga within the same day. The use of single-use, fully closed cartridges integrating reagents, precursors, reaction chambers and purification modules ensures high reproducibility, low reagent consumption, fast reaction times and eliminates any risk of cross-contamination.
The entire production chain is fully automated, from radiopharmaceutical selection to sterile filtration, integrity testing and final syringe filling. A 6-axis robot operates all steps of the process under the control of an intuitive user interface, requiring only minimal human intervention. At the end of each synthesis, ready-to-use syringes are delivered to the radiopharmacist: one for patient administration and one dedicated to quality control, both with accurate activity measurement and full traceability.
Designed for routine clinical and research environments, iMiLAB® significantly reduces staff exposure to radiation thanks to its self-shielded architecture and robotic operation. The system is easy to operate and maintain, with all critical components accessible and monitored from the control room. By combining automation, microfluidics and robotics, iMiLAB® provides a reliable, flexible and efficient solution for decentralized production of personalized radiopharmaceuticals.
