The generated amount of these radiopharmaceuticals is a major challenge as the demand is high while the supply is not sufficient [12]. Several studies were reported by Morgenstern et al. for producing Ac-225, most of which are still under research. Methods that have been proposed to produce Ac-225 only serve as a ready to use Ac-225 in a vial or an Ac-225/Bi-213 generator [10], [13], [14]. A major limitation for generating Ac-225 is its short half-life of around 10 days [15]. As a result, transporting this radionuclide to serve patient needs is difficult worldwide and specifically in low and middle income countries.

Thus, new systems and methods for producing Actinium-225 are needed.

The present disclosure provides a device and method for producing Actinium-225 using a two-stage process: neutrons incident on a first material to generate high energy protons, and the generated protons are then incident on a second material (radium-226) to produce Actinium-225.

An aspect of the disclosure provides an Actinium-225 generator, comprising a neutron source; a neutron target arranged to receive neutrons emitted from the neutron source, wherein the neutron target comprises nickel, manganese, or iron; and a proton target arranged to receive protons emitted from the neutron target, wherein the proton target comprises radium-226. In some embodiments, the neutron target and the proton target are concentric cylinders surrounding the neutron source.