IDAHO FALLS, Idaho, Nov. 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- International Isotopes Inc. (OTCQB: INIS) (the "Company") in conjunction with the University Of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR), is pleased to announce  it has recently received its first commercial shipment of I-131 from MURR. This milestone shipment makes INIS the first distributor of the isotope utilizing a U.S. source of supply since the 1980s.

"Supplying I‑131 is part of a strategic initiative by the University of Missouri and MURR to address medical isotope shortages and further the University's research mission," said David Robertson, executive director of MURR.

I-131 sodium iodide became the first FDA-approved radiopharmaceutical in 1951, and is one of the most widely used radiopharmaceuticals in the United States. The isotope's unique properties enable both diagnostic imaging and the treatment of thyroid cancer and hyperthyroidism. Since the thyroid gland naturally absorbs iodine, I‑131 can be targeted directly to thyroid tumors to remove cancerous tissue and treat the disease.  According to the American Cancer Society, thyroid cancer is "the most rapidly increasing cancer in the U.S.," with diagnoses tripling in the last three decades. There will be an estimated 53,990 new cases of thyroid cancer in the U.S. in 2018 with an estimated 2,060 deaths from the disease, according to the National Cancer Institute.

INIS President and CEO Steve Laflin said, "Having MURR as a domestic producer of I-131 provides a much higher level of stability and reliability in the U.S. for this important isotope," INIS has been supplying I-131 throughout the U.S. for nearly 15 years using only foreign sources of supply. We are pleased to have an opportunity to enter into a long-term supply agreement with MURR, and INIS plans to utilize MURR as one of our major suppliers for I-131 in the future."

About International Isotopes Inc.
International Isotopes Inc. manufactures a full range of nuclear medicine calibration and reference standards, a variety of Cobalt-60 products, and provides a wide selection of radioisotopes and radiochemicals for medical applications, calibration, and clinical research.  The Company also provides radiological services including source installation/removal, and decommissioning of various radiation units on a contract basis to clients.

International Isotopes Inc. Safe Harbor Statement
Certain statements in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including statements with respect to the timing of the resumption of cobalt production, future opportunities for field service contracts, and future performance of the Company's business segments.  Information contained in such forward-looking statements is based on current expectations and is subject to change.  These statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements of International Isotopes Inc. to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements of the Company expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.  Other factors, which could materially affect such forward-looking statements, can be found in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.  Investors, potential investors, and other readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.  The forward-looking statements made herein are only made as of the date of this press release and International Isotopes, Inc. and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

David Drewitz
Creative Options Communications
Investor and Public Relations
[email protected]
www.creativeoptionsmaketing.com
Phone:  972-814-5723

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SOURCE International Isotopes Inc.