Cardinal Health announced the launch of its second cyclotron operation in Tennessee, through a partnership with ProVision Healthcare in Knoxville on Thursday. The company now operates 33 cyclotrons across the nation.

The new location is across the state from the Nashville site, making it possible for Knoxville physicians to access the biomarkers, which decay rapidly, says Cardinal Health spokeswoman Tara Schumacher. The company is constantly evaluating opportunities to expand its cyclotron network, she said.

“[Expanding] enables us to help support the growth of molecular imaging and bring this important modality closer to more physicians and patients,” Schumacher told DOTmed News.
While the cyclotron, used to develop molecular imaging agents for PET scanners, will be owned by ProVision Healthcare, Cardinal Health will manage and operate the equipment.

“Cardinal Health’s expertise in the manufacture and distribution of PET biomarkers; its expansive, national radiopharmacy network and its innovative work with pharmaceutical manufacturers to support clinical trials all made them the ideal partner to operate our cyclotron,” said Terry Douglass, founder of ProVision Healthcare, in prepared remarks. “We look forward to working with Cardinal Health to bring molecular imaging technology to the area to better meet the health care needs of our patients.”

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