GE HealthCare and Axim Life Isotopes South Africa (ALISA) Collaborate to Expand Access to Molecular Imaging in South Africa and Drive Precision Care

April 28, 2023 — GE HealthCare to deliver two Cyclotrons next year, expanding South Africa’s capacity to produce innovative molecular imaging tracers; The Cyclotrons will enable the delivery of stable and novel molecules to the market, to help clinicians diagnose, treat, and monitor diseases more confidently; Cyclotrons produce radioisotopes drithat enable the production of radiopharmaceuticals, which can be used in PET scans to detect the progress of cancer and determine the effectiveness of treatment. 

GE HealthCare has signed an agreement with Axim Life Isotopes South Africa (Pty) Ltd. (ALISA), a joint venture between Life Healthcare and the AXIM Group of Companies, to expand provision of molecular imaging in South Africa with the delivery of two Cyclotrons, which produce radioisotopes enabling the production of tracing agents used in molecular imaging scans. 

GE HealthCare will deliver the Cyclotrons to ALISA’s laboratory facility in Midrand, South Africa early next year, giving patients in Africa access to medical advancements. 

Molecular imaging enables doctors and clinicians to see inside the body with a non-invasive process, helping to diagnose and treat diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurological diseases. It can allow early and precise diagnosis. It uses biomarkers to highlight molecular changes, which can sometimes alert doctors to possible disease. 

Because of the relatively short half-lives of PET radioisotopes, they must be created within hours of the patient’s scan. Thus, hospitals need to be a certain distance from the cyclotrons in order to get functioning isotopes for patients.    

Eyong Ebai, General Manager – Sub-Saharan Africa, GE HealthCare said, “GE HealthCare is pleased to partner with ALISA, bringing together our global expertise in world-leading molecular imaging technology with that of two market leaders, Life Healthcare and AXIM. This collaboration will drive continuous innovation in molecular imaging agent production to improve access to radiopharmaceuticals in South Africa and help drive precision care in the region.” 

Peter Goldberg, Chairman, AXIM Group of Companies said, “The creation of our new Radiopharmacy in Midrand, housing two new GE Cyclotrons, will provide a stable, reliable and consistent supply of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG).” 

Howard Marsh, Chief Financial Officer – International, Life Healthcare said, “This will include other sought-after medical grade isotopes for all PET-CT customers in Southern Africa. This includes access to isotopes for oncology, cardiovascular, and neuro-degenerative diseases.” 

ALISA is building on the established global collaboration in place between GE HealthCare and Life Healthcare.  

For more information: www.gehealthcare.com