SHINE Medical Technologies Selects the Netherlands for European Production Site
US-based SHINE Medical Technologies has selected the municipality of Veendam in the province of Groningen, the Netherlands, as the location for its European medical isotope production facility. The medical company’s decision to go Dutch is the culmination of a year-long search process that included more than 50 proposals from sites across Europe.
“SHINE’s selection of the municipality of Veendam as the site for our second production facility is great news for physicians and patients throughout Europe,” said Harrie Buurlage, SHINE’s vice president of European operations. “The production facility will be a solution for all of Europe, enabling SHINE to deliver a reliable, flexible supply of a broad range of critical medical isotopes to European customers, starting with molybdenum-99. We look forward to working with our new partners in Veendam, the province of Groningen and the Netherlands.”
“We are very pleased to support SHINE Medical Technologies’ selection of the Netherlands as the site of its European medical isotope production facility and to welcome SHINE to the Netherlands,” stated Clémence Ross- van Dorp, Netherlands’ Life Sciences & Health ambassador. “SHINE’s decision to locate here is the latest example of the Netherlands’ strong support for bringing high-growth companies here and helping them to realise initiatives that will help them to grow even faster and bigger.”
SHINE brings medical isotopes to European physicians and patients
SHINE’s European facility will be focused initially on the production of molybdenum-99, a diagnostic isotope relied on for procedures that identify heart disease, cancer and other conditions. When completed, the facility could be capable of producing double the European patient need for molybdenum-99. Combined with SHINE’s U.S. operations, the company could be able to meet 70 percent of global patient’s need. Driven by nuclear technology that does not require a reactor, SHINE’s facilities will be cleaner, safer and more sustainable than current technologies.
“The selection of the location for our new European facility is another demonstration of SHINE’s commitment to being the world leader in the production of vital medical isotopes,” said Greg Piefer, SHINE’s chairman and CEO. “We know that with our leadership comes a responsibility to European physicians and patients that we take seriously. We look forward to ensuring that they have a reliable supply of the isotopes they need when they need them.”
The Netherlands: A global centre for innovation in nuclear medicine
By launching its European production in the Netherlands’ life sciences & health ecosystem, SHINE is well-positioned to push the boundaries of nuclear medicine.
“The Netherlands has a strong passion for state-of-the-art innovation, which SHINE shares, and will demonstrate as it builds its technologically advanced facility. In addition, SHINE’s selection of the Netherlands highlights the robust infrastructure and highly qualified workforce that make our country a global centre for nuclear medicine,” said Harrie Buurlage. “The commitment of the Dutch to the principle of a level playing field between SHINE and publicly supported production also was a key factor in SHINE’s decision to locate in the Netherlands. This principle demonstrates the strong support of the Dutch for market-driven solutions that enable us to attract companies like SHINE to the Netherlands.”
Groningen offers life sciences expertise and access to Europe
SHINE selected Veendam in the Groningen area in particular due to the region’s strong support for the development and production of lifesaving medicine, its passion for innovation and the availability of highly educated talent via the University of Groningen. Groningen also provides easy transportation access to the European market and knowledge & infrastructure for the accelerator technology.
“The presence of the University of Groningen provides SHINE with opportunities for further research and development, which could produce additional growth opportunities for the company. We look forward to continuing our partnership and develop a facility that everyone in the Netherlands can be proud of,” said Buurlage.
Construction of SHINE’s new production facility is expected to begin in 2023, and commercial production will begin in late 2025. The plant will employ roughly 200 workers when it is fully operational. While the facility is being built, SHINE’s construction partners will employ additional workers from the area.
