Abstract: A system for the production of a radioisotope comprising a container with a planar face on which a portion of solid target material is present having an elliptical shape, an irradiation station for emitting a proton beam against the solid target material portion and a transfer system for transferring the container to the irradiation station having an annular seat for receiving the container from the planar face side and is oriented such that a section of the proton beam along an annular seat plane is elliptical. The transfer system comprises a housing, a rotation assembly for rotating the container within the housing to orient the elliptical shape of the solid target material portion as the elliptical shape of the proton beam section, and a handling assembly for grasping the container from opposite the planar face side and transferring it from the housing to the annular seat.