About us
INM-5 is dedicated to the development of novel radiolabeled drugs (radiopharmaceuticals) and their application in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. The focus lies on nuclear imaging techniques like positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), which are used to study physiological and pathological processes in the human brain. In this regard, the INM-5 develops radiolabeled probes (radiotracers) for research and diagnostic purposes, such as investigating receptor systems in the brain or diagnosing neurodegenerative diseases using PET imaging. In addition to the development and preclinical evaluation of new radiotracers, the institute explores their use in studying information processing in the healthy and diseased human brain.
Furthermore, INM-5 develops new production methods for medically relevant PET and SPECT radionuclides, as well as innovative radiolabeling techniques. Besides established short-lived radionuclides like fluorine-18, there is a particular focus on non-standard PET radionuclides like titanium-45 or arsen-72, which have a longer half-life and offer enhanced diagnostic possibilities for applications such as the analysis of slow biokinetics. Another major research focus is the development of non-standard radionuclides for therapeutic applications, such as astatine-211 and actinium-225. These radionuclides enable targeted treatment of brain tumors and other cancers through radioligand therapy or endoradiotherapy.
To meet the complex challenges of radiopharmaceutical production, the institute is equipped with specialized research groups that cover a wide range of areas – from radionuclide production and radiotracer development over radiopharmacology and preclinical evaluation, to the production of radiopharmaceuticals for clinical use. Thanks to state-of-the-art infrastructures, including three particle accelerators (cyclotrons) for radionuclide production and a clean room for GMP-compliant drug manufacturing, INM-5 can efficiently produce radiopharmaceuticals and supply both internal collaborators as well as external customers and industry partners. Through close collaboration with leading university hospitals, the institute also drives the translation of new radiotracers into clinical practice.