Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares

Profile narrative

The Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares (IPEN) is a Brazilian research institute dedicated to energy and nuclear science, with its headquarters located in Brazil. Its core activities involve the research, development and production of radiopharmaceuticals that are used in medical diagnostics and therapeutic procedures. Among the specific products it manufactures are iodine‑131, lutetium‑177, thallium‑201, Guan‑IPEN‑131 (MIBG), technetium‑99m generators and gallium‑67 citrate, all of which are essential radioactive medicines for hospital imaging and treatment services. The institute serves the domestic healthcare market, supplying these compounds to hospitals and clinics across the country for procedures such as thyroid therapy, cancer treatment and various diagnostic scans. IPEN’s work bridges scientific research in nuclear technology with practical applications that directly support patient care.

A distinguishing attribute of IPEN is its specialised capability to produce a range of high‑purity radiopharmaceuticals under strict safety and quality standards, a competency highlighted by the recent cyber incident that disrupted its production line. The incident, which occurred on 28 March 2025, led to the temporary isolation of its network from external connections while physical, radiological and nuclear safety remained unaffected, underscoring the institute’s robust safety protocols despite the cyber threat. Although the overview does not disclose explicit figures regarding the institute’s workforce, budget or geographic reach, it confirms that the halt in production affected the supply of key medicines vital to the Brazilian health system. No information about IPEN’s parent organisation, ownership structure or subsidiary relationships is provided in the available sources, so those details remain unspecified. The ongoing monitoring by authorities reflects the importance of maintaining secure operations for a facility that contributes critically to national healthcare infrastructure.

Incidents

1 incident linked to this organisation.