Processes and systems for producing and/or purifying gallium-68
The present disclosure relates processes and systems for producing and/or purifying 68 Ga from an irradiated substrate of 68 Zn. In some embodiments, the process rely on the use two cation-exchange chromatography columns to separate 68 Ga from 68 Zn and other radionuclides and metallic impurities. The process achieves a high overall yield of 68 Ga and a high effective molar activity while being implementable in a time compatible with the short half-life of 68 Ga. In additional embodiments, the process is implemented by an automated system.
1. A process for purifying 68 Ga produced by cyclotron, the process comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a solution comprising a mixture of 68 Zn and 68 Ga;
(b) contacting the solution with a first chelating cation exchange column, the first chelating cation exchange column comprising a hydroxamate resin;
(c) washing the first chelating cation exchange column obtained after step (b) to obtain a washed first chelating cation exchange column;
(d) eluting the 68 Ga from the washed first chelating cation exchange column to obtain a first eluent;
(e) contacting the first eluent with a second copolymeric cation exchange column, the second copolymeric cation exchange column comprising a resin;
(f) washing the second copolymeric cation exchange column after step (e) to obtain a washed second copolymeric cation exchange column; and
(g) eluting the 68 Ga from the washed second copolymeric cation exchange column to obtain a second eluent comprising purified 68 Ga.
2. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the step of washing the first chelating cation exchange column comprises contacting a first acid solution with the first chelating cation exchange column.
3. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the step of eluting the 68 Ga from the washed first chelating cation exchange column comprises contacting a second acid solution with the washed first chelating cation exchange column.
4. The process according to claim 3 , wherein the second acid solution has a normality above that of the first acid solution.
5. The process according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of diluting the first eluent with a third acid solution prior to contacting the first eluent with the second copolymeric cation exchange column.
6. The process according to claim 5 , wherein the third acid solution has a normality substantially similar that of the first solution.
7. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the step of washing the second copolymeric cation exchange column comprises contacting a fourth acid solution with the second copolymeric cation exchange column.
8. The process according to claim 7 , wherein the fourth acid solution has a normality substantially similar to that of the first acid solution or that of the third acid solution.
9. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the step of eluting the 68 Ga from the washed second copolymeric cation exchange column comprises contacting a fifth acid solution comprising a salt with the second copolymeric cation exchange column.
10. The process according to claim 9 , wherein the fifth acid solution comprising the salt has a normality above that of the first acid solution.
11. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the copolymeric resin comprises a silica backbone connected to two functional groups.