The Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone (AMTZ) has achieved a major breakthrough in healthcare with the approval of its Medical Cyclotron Facility by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB). This facility, the first of its kind in the state, is now authorized for the commercial production and distribution of radioisotopes, marking a significant step forward in cancer treatment and nuclear medicine. The initiative aims to provide faster and more affordable access to critical diagnostic isotopes, which are essential for advanced medical imaging and therapy.
The demand for diagnostic isotopes like 18F-FDG, 68Ga, and 131I has been rising in Visakhapatnam, driven by the growing number of multispecialty hospitals offering PET-CT scans and nuclear medicine services. Until now, these isotopes had to be imported from states like Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu, leading to delays and increased costs. The new cyclotron facility at AMTZ will eliminate these challenges by enabling local production, ensuring quicker delivery, and improving the efficiency of cancer diagnostics and treatment.
Dr. Jitendra Sharma, MD and Founder CEO of AMTZ, emphasized the significance of the project. “The establishment of Andhra Pradesh’s first medical cyclotron at AMTZ fills a critical gap in the state’s healthcare infrastructure. This facility is a gift to the people of Andhra Pradesh this Sankranti, ensuring timely access to life-saving diagnostics and advancing cancer care and nuclear medicine across the region,” he said.
The facility was inaugurated on July 11, 2024, by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, and officially commissioned on January 10, 2025, by Lieutenant General N. S. Raja Subramani, Vice Chief of Army Staff. Full-scale operations commenced on January 17, 2025, with plans to serve hospitals and diagnostic centers not only in Andhra Pradesh but also in neighboring states like Telangana, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh.
This development is expected to transform cancer care in the region by making advanced diagnostics more accessible and affordable, ultimately improving patient outcomes and strengthening the healthcare ecosystem.
