Show-Me State Times

The University of Missouri marked the completion of a significant expansion of its Research Reactor (MURR) facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new 47,000-square-foot addition. The $20 million development, named "MURR West," is a three-story expansion of the MURR North Building, aimed at bolstering research capabilities and production.

“MURR is the most important source for medical radioisotopes in the country,” stated University of Missouri President Mun Choi. “With the opening of MURR West, we proudly expand our lifesaving impact. This addition includes 16,000 square feet of space dedicated for innovative research, medical isotope production and collaborative projects with industry partners.”

In the previous year, isotopes produced at MURR were used in the treatment of 450,000 cancer patients.

“The opportunities that MURR West will provide in 2025 and beyond will save even more lives by changing the landscape of nuclear and cancer research,” remarked Todd Graves, chair of the UM Board of Curators. “The board and I are proud that such a necessary and impactful initiative will bring so much to our state and enhance the health and well-being of its citizens.”

“This new addition gives us the space we need and space for our partners to grow their technologies,” added Matt Sanford, executive director of MURR. “The first floor will be the future home of new research labs and industry partners who will work with Mizzou to develop new technologies. By co-locating here with MURR, they can leverage the expertise at MURR to help them bring their vision to reality faster. It also represents the commitment Mizzou has to support Columbia, Boone County, and Missouri through the economic development possibilities new companies will bring.”

The upper floors of the new facility will house manufacturing support, research and development, regulatory documents and records, employees who were in temporary buildings, and additional space for future expansions.

Mizzou is also continuing its investment in radiopharmaceutical production at MURR, with construction starting in March on facilities that will house additional production lines for no-carrier-added lutetium-177 (NCA Lu-177). This substance is the active pharmaceutical ingredient in Lutathera and Pluvicto, radiotherapies for treating neuroendocrine tumors and prostate cancer. Another expansion is set to begin in June to provide more storage and support space.

“These new additions are exciting,” said Sanford. “They enable more lifesaving patient treatments and allow us to invest in new discoveries. Combined with our ambitious plans for NextGen MURR, a new 20-megawatt research reactor, we are securing Mizzou’s place as a leader in cancer research and treatment for generations.”

The expansions aim to meet the growing demand for lifesaving and life-extending drugs for cancer patients in the U.S. and globally.