INNOVATIVE
Mo-99 PRODUCTION
NorthStar is proudly leading the way as the only commercial U.S. producer of Mo-99 and the only producer of concentrated Mo-99 (cMo-99) using cMo-98.
How We Make
Mo-99
MOLYBDENITE (MoS2)
Courtesy of
MURR®
Everything starts with a little bit of rare mineral called Molybdenite.
Our non-uranium-based methods for producing traditional and concentrated Mo-99 (cMo-99) using cMo-98 are based on proven and well-established principles. Both start with naturally occurring molybdenum which is found in the earth’s crust as molybdenite.
NorthStar, and its partners at the University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR®) are pioneering the production of cMo-99 in the United States. As we evolve our production methods, we remain committed to non-uranium production, ensuring that the Mo-99 produced at NorthStar is environmentally friendly.
Non-uranium-based Mo-99 provides healthcare customers with a reliable, domestically produced Mo-99/Tc-99m supply. In 2021, we progressed the technology further, launching concentrated Mo-99 using cMo-98. NorthStar is now able to produce up to four times the amount of Mo-99, which in turn provides customers with higher activity source vessels.
