Cat Once Dependent on Daily Medication Now Treated with Single Injection... First Approval for Domestic Radiopharmaceutical [Reading Science]

Cyrokit Injection Developed by KAERI: Korea's First Radiopharmaceutical for Animals
Single Administration Achieves 94.2% Success Rate in Hyperthyroidism Clinical Trial

For the first time in Korea, a domestically developed radiopharmaceutical that can treat cats with hyperthyroidism with a single injection—eliminating the need for daily medication—has been commercialized.

The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute announced on September 10 that "Cyrokit Injection (I-131)," a treatment for feline hyperthyroidism developed by Dr. Lim Jaecheong's research team, received manufacturing approval for veterinary pharmaceuticals from the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency on August 25, followed by product approval on August 27. This marks the first time a radiopharmaceutical for animals has received product approval in Korea.

The country's first radioactive veterinary drug, Cyrokit Injection (I-131), is scheduled to be supplied to medical sites after receiving formal manufacturing and product approval. Photo by Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute

Feline hyperthyroidism is a common hormonal disorder, affecting about 10% of cats aged 10 years or older. The thyroid gland produces an excess of thyroid hormones, and up until now, the main treatment involved giving the cat oral medication daily to regulate hormone levels.

Cyrokit Injection takes advantage of the thyroid gland's tendency to absorb iodine. When injected, radioactive iodine (I-131) accumulates in the thyroid and treats abnormal tissue. Since it requires only a single administration, it reduces the burden of continuous medication.

In clinical trials conducted at Chungbuk National University Animal Medical Center, Cyrokit Injection achieved a treatment success rate of 94.2% in cats with a single administration. By comparison, the traditional oral medication Felimazole had a four-week treatment success rate of 56.3%. The incidence of iatrogenic hypothyroidism with Cyrokit Injection was also lower, at 5.9%, compared to 43.8% with conventional therapy.

Going forward, Cyrokit Injection will be supplied to medical centers licensed to use radioisotopes (RI), including Chungbuk National University Animal Medical Center and Helix Animal Medical Center. The research team plans to use this domestic commercialization as a springboard to enter the Asian markets—including China and Japan—and to export the technology globally.

Hong Jintae, Director of the Isotope Research Division at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, stated, "It is significant that radiation technology has moved beyond research and development to tangible achievements in treating companion animals."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.