[en] One of the primary methods of producing medical isotopes such as ⁹⁹Mo and ¹³¹I is by irradiating uranium targets in heterogeneous reactors. Homogeneous aqueous reactors present a potential alternative to medical isotope production. In response to the global demand for medical isotopes, a concept design of the 200 kW medical isotope production reactor (MIPR) was accomplished by Nuclear Power Institute of China in 2000. Further R and D work was completed in subsequent years, including the optimization of design, reactor thermohydraulic experiments, gas circulation system experiments, etc. Compared with the normal isotope production method such as target irradiation, the MIPR can produce more types of isotope at lower cost and with less radioactive waste generation. (author)