Four Days of Science, Collaboration and Community

Comecer took part in CAFACHEM 2026 with scientific leadership, educational workshops and direct engagement with future industry professionals.

CAFACHEM 2026 was more than a sponsorship opportunity for Comecer. Over four days at the University of Michigan, the company actively contributed to scientific discussions, educational workshops and career-development activities, reinforcing its commitment to supporting the future of radiopharmaceutical sciences.

Held from July 15 to 18 in Ann Arbor, CAFACHEM brought together radiochemists, physicists, engineers and pharmacists from universities and research institutions around the world for an intensive hands-on summer school focused on learning, collaboration and innovation.

Representing Comecer throughout the week was Mario Malinconico, Scientific Leader at Comecer, whose involvement extended far beyond attending sessions.

As a long-standing partner of the radiopharmaceutical industry, Comecer is committed not only to advancing the technologies that enable radiopharmaceutical production, but also to fostering education, collaboration and innovation. Supporting initiatives such as CAFACHEM reflects the company's belief that investing in people is just as important as investing in technology, helping shape the next generation of professionals who will drive the future of the field.

Throughout the week, this commitment translated into active participation across scientific, educational and mentoring activities.

Scientific Leadership and Real-World Learning

One of the highlights of the event was Malinconico's role as Chair of Scientific Session 1: Halogen Radiochemistry, where he moderated discussions on emerging developments in radiochemistry and radiotheranostics.

He also co-organized and delivered a hands-on workshop on Astatine-211 production together with Betty Wiens of AtomVie Global Radiopharma, on behalf of the Industry Engagement Board (IEB) of the Society of Radiopharmaceutical Sciences (SRS).
Working in multidisciplinary teams, participants tackled realistic production scenarios that required them to consider scientific, operational and logistical aspects of radiopharmaceutical manufacturing. Notably, every team selected the most challenging assignment: designing a complete first-in-human supply chain for an Astatine-211 radiopharmaceutical.

Reflecting on the experience, Malinconico praised the engagement shown by the students:

Supporting Future Professionals

Beyond scientific activities, Comecer also contributed to participants' professional development. During the Career Express Workshop, Malinconico joined industry and academic mentors in a series of informal discussions focused on career paths, professional growth and the transition from academia to industry.
The week concluded with a tour of the University of Michigan Cyclotron Facility, where attendees had the opportunity to see Comecer hot cells operating in a real production environment. For many students, it was their first chance to connect the scientific concepts discussed during the summer school with the technologies that make radiopharmaceutical production possible.

More Than a Sponsor

From chairing scientific sessions and leading educational workshops to mentoring students and showcasing production technologies, Comecer's contribution extended well beyond traditional event sponsorship.

As CAFACHEM 2026 came to a close, Malinconico thanked Peter Scott, Marianna Dakanali and Elaine Murray for organizing another successful edition of the summer school, as well as Betty Wiens for her collaboration on the Astatine-211 workshop.
For Comecer, supporting the future of radiopharmaceutical sciences means more than providing technology. It means investing in the people, ideas and collaborations that will drive innovation for years to come—a commitment that was clearly reflected throughout CAFACHEM 2026.