  New data for the $^\mbox{nat}$V(p,x) reactions have been measured in the
range 26-70 MeV, with production of the nuclides $^{47}$Sc, $^{43}$Sc,
$^{44m}$Sc, $^{44g}$Sc, $^{46}$Sc, $^{48}$Sc, $^{42}$K, $^{43}$K, $^{48}$V,
$^{48}$Cr, $^{49}$Cr, and $^{51}$Cr. The focus is on the production of
$^{47}$Sc, a $\beta^-$-emitter suitable for innovative radiotheranostic
applications in nuclear medicine. The measured cross sections for this
radionuclide and its contaminants are compared with the theoretical excitation
functions calculated with the TALYS code. In view of novel radiopharmaceutical
applications, it is essential to accurately describe these cross-sections for
the evaluation of yields, purities, and dose releases. Hence, we optimize the
level-density parameters of the microscopic models in the TALYS code to obtain
the best possible descriptions of the new data. We consider different
irradiation conditions to estimate the production yields from the cross
sections determined in this work.

Nuclear Experiment;Nuclear Theory;Medical Physics