Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone (AMTZ) has reached a significant milestone with the approval from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) to begin commercial production and distribution of radioisotopes at its Medical Cyclotron Facility. As the state’s first of its kind, the facility is expected to greatly enhance cancer care and nuclear medicine by providing quick, affordable access to vital diagnostic isotopes.
Visakhapatnam has seen an increase in multispecialty hospitals offering services like PET-CT scans and nuclear medicine, leading to rising demand for PET isotopes such as 18F-FDG, 68Ga, and 131I. Previously, these isotopes had to be sourced from neighboring states like Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu, causing delays and higher costs. The new cyclotron facility at AMTZ will address these issues by enabling local production and faster delivery, improving diagnostic speed and treatment outcomes.
Dr Jitendra Sharma, MD and Founder CEO of AMTZ, highlighted the importance of the project, saying, “With Andhra Pradesh’s first medical cyclotron at AMTZ, we’ve filled a crucial gap in the state’s healthcare system. This facility is a gift to the state this Sankranti and will ensure timely access to life-saving diagnostics, advancing cancer care and nuclear medicine across the region.”
The facility was inaugurated on July 11, 2024, by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, and officially commissioned by Vice Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General N. S. Raja Subramani on January 10, 2025. Full operations began on January 17, 2025, with plans to support hospitals and diagnostic centers throughout Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and beyond.
