The Institute of Nuclear Physics in Uzbekistan has the capability to manufacture various isotopes using their reactor and hot cell facilities. They have identified a possible requirement for samarium-153 (153Sm) in the form of a pharmaceutical preparation known as 153Sm-oxabiphor. INP believes there is a market for this drug in Uzbekistan. 153Sm is used in the US in the form of: 153 Sm-EDTMP (ethylene diamine tetramethylene phosphonate), which INP identify as an analogue of oxabiphor, and samarium-153 Lexidronam (under the registered name Quadramet). All of these drugs are palliative (rather than curative) and are used to reduce bone pain in terminally ill patients. The drugs are injected into the vein of a patient and then concentrate in the cancer cells in the bone. The beta emitting particles from the isotope (which have a short range) kill the nearby cancer cells. 153Sm also emits soft gamma radiation which enables doctors to monitor the progress of the drug. There are 13 oncology departments in Uzbekistan. Discussions between INP and the medical staff of these departments indicate that there is a demand for this drug. Samarium has a short half-life (46 hours), so it would need to be manufactured and delivered to the patient within a few days. 153Sm is made by irradiating the stable and naturally occurring isotope 152Sm in a nuclear reactor. INP has carried out the necessary experimental work to establish a production process for this. INP estimated that it would take a total investment of £ 63,000 to set up routine production of this pharmaceutical.

Beneficiary has fulfilled its obligations. Job creation was over fulfilled: 12 jobs /11 for former employees of INP created (vs.12/7 planned).