A radiochemist with the Australian Nuclear Scientific and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Nigel Lengkeek (pictured) has received an international award for radiopharmaceutical science after developing an innovative cancer diagnostic agent.
Dr Lengkeek received his award at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nuclear Medicine (ANZSNM) in Melbourne.
Leader of Radioisotopes and Radiotracers and Radiobiology and Bioimaging at ANSTO, John Bennett said the Agency was proud that Dr Lengkeek had been recognised with the award for his contribution to the industry-led development of the promising radiopharmaceutical.
“It is indicative of the high level of talent in our group that continues to produce novel radiotracers and radiopharmaceuticals with the potential for diagnostic and therapeutic applications,” Dr Bennett said.
“Several members of our pre-clinical imaging team were also finalists for the Best Poster Award in Neuroscience at the Congress.”
He said that Dr Lengkeek, who is a Radiometals Specialist in the Radiotracers and Radioisotopes group, was the principal scientist in a large team at ANSTO who developed the radiochemistry and routine production procedures for the radiopharmaceutical.
“The development was undertaken in partnership with Sydney-based immuno-oncology company Minomic International, the developer of the parent antibody, MIL-38 and Auspep, an Australian pharmaceutical manufacturer,” Dr Bennett said.
Dr Lengkeek, who joined ANSTO in 2010, said he planned to use the award to attend the Metals in Medicine Gordon Research Conference in the United States in June.
