TRACE-MED is an initiative of IMAGO-MOL Cluster with the scope to facilitate and shorten the development process of new radiopharmaceuticals by creating an effective framework for collaboration between the relevant actors: top research centers in Romania and Europe, medical units, and pharmaceutical manufacturers.

IMAGO-MOL Cluster has involved in the development of this proposal its members University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa” from Iasi, the “Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, but also national collaborators, namely the National Institute for Nuclear Physics and Engineering – Horia Hulubei.

They are joined by partners from the Smart Health Pilot of Vanguard Initiative and the European Platform for Intelligent Specialization in the field of Personalized Medicine (S3P4PM): Clust-ER Industrie della Salute e del Benessere from the Emilia Romagna region, Italy with its member Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, Slovenian Innovation Hub together with University Clinical Center Ljubljana and Josef Stefan Institute in Ljubljana. Also, the National Center For Nuclear Research, Polatom, Radioisotope Center in Poland joined the consortium.

What are the objectives of this initiative?

  • Create an eco-system covering the entire value chain of the RP industry-from research & development to production by breaking down existing silo’s and fostering coordination.
  • Coordinate the research activities across partnering facilities, thereby reducing lead time and improving efficiencies.
  • Produce the linker/carrier nanoparticle (np) will help the platform to quickly bring onto the market new molecules (generates revenues) as it gains experience.
  • Patenting solution for the molecule+linker/carrier allowing increasing revenues from license contracts (royalties).

Why is this initiative different from the others?

  • Improving the management of the supply chain in radiopharmaceuticals by creating a network of complementary excellence service providers from 4 countries, ranging from research to industry.
  • Reducing the development process time by providing better connections between process phases.
  • Facilitating the distribution/sale process of the ready to market molecule through the already established extensive distribution/sale network of the partners.
  • The development of a linker complex for SPECT radioisotopes to label new molecules will bring a new revival to the cheaper and more available area of SPECT radiotracers’ development.
  • Providing the most suitable molecules (for SPECT and PET technologies) to be used in theragnostic approach in personalized medicine, to increase life quality of the patient and to give more options to the medical practitioner.

What has been done so far?

  • This initiative was formed within the Smart Specialization Platform for Personalized Medicine (S3P4PM)
  • TRACE-MED has been selected and received specific assistance within the Technical Assistance Facility (TAF) for Industrial Modernization and Investment, during 2021. The Technical Assistance Facility (TAF) is a European project funded by the COSME Program that offers project promoters the opportunity to benefit from consulting from top companies to improve business plans and prepare for public-private investment.
  • A business plan for TRACE-MED has been produced and revised by the TAF designated consultant, including market analysis, an initial SWOT analysis, business objectives, activities flow, each partner’s role, and financial projections.
  • TRACE-MED was selected as a “demo case” within the Smart Health Pilot of the Vanguard Iniatiative, under the convergent technology pillar, the theme of non-invasive imaging technologies.
  • The TRACE-MED consortium is part of the Horizon Europe Funded Project SECURE (Strengthening the European Chain of sUpply for next generation medical RadionuclidEs), the partnership within this project representing an important step in achieving the desired project proposed by the IMAGO-MOL Cluster, TRACE-MED, that of creating an inter-regional platform for research and development of new radiotracers in the context of personalized medicine.
  • A continuous search for external funding is being performed.

Which are the next steps in TRACE-MED?

  • Strengthening the collaboration between existing members
  • Developing the consortium in order to attract more members from across Europe and to complete the value chain of the radiopharmaceuticals production.
  • Searching for EU, public and private funding

How to get involved?

If you would like to learn more about this initiative or to become a member of the consortium, please contact us directly: