Ontario Expanding Ability to Process Cancer Fighting Medical Isotopes
November 08, 2024
KINCARDINE – The Ontario Government and Bruce Power announced the construction of a new hot cell in Bruce County to process the cancer-fighting medical isotope lutetium-177 which is used as a targeted therapy, including for prostate cancer and neuroendocrine tumours. By repatriating medical isotope processing to the province and building provincial capacity to process the isotopes produced at our nuclear stations, Ontario is cementing its position as a leader in this cutting-edge medical field.
“Life-saving medical isotopes produced in Ontario’s nuclear generating stations are one of the most consequential tools doctors have available to diagnose and treat the more than 247,000 Canadians who are diagnosed with cancer each year,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Electrification. “My own family, like that of so many Canadians, has been impacted by cancer, so I know that this initiative will save lives and further cement Ontario’s place as a global leader in the production and processing of cancer-fighting medical isotopes.”
Bruce Power will partner with Isogen to construct this new hot cell which will support increased production of lutetium-177 and reduce overall processing time. Bruce Power will also work with the Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON), which will have the opportunity to build upon the existing Gamzook’aamin aakoziwin isotope partnership to expand the hot cell to support localized isotope production in SON territory.
In addition, Bruce Power will begin the refurbishment of Unit 4 on February 1, 2025, while refurbishment of Unit 3 is already underway. In total, Ontario is planning to refurbish a total of six Bruce units (Units 3 to 8) by 2033, which will extend their operating lives for at least another 30 years. Bruce Power’s refurbishment and long-term operation will increase employment by an estimated 22,000 jobs per year and generate $4 billion in annual economic benefits, which will boost Ontario’s economy, help to meet the province’s growing electricity demand and secure the long-term supply of life-saving medical isotopes from the facility.
“The exciting part of this is that when we have all of the infrastructure in place with our Isotope Production System and the new hot cell fully operational, the sky is the limit on our production and research of new medical isotopes for doctors and patients around the world, allowing a breakthrough in cancer treatment” said Eric Chassard, Bruce Power’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “This is a true made-in-Ontario and made-in-Canada success story that Bruce Power, the nuclear industry and our supplier partners can be extremely proud of.”
Supporting nuclear energy is just one part of Ontario’s Affordable Energy Future, the government’s vision as it plans for rising energy demand, which includes:
- Energy Planning – Developing the province’s first integrated energy plan, including all energy resources, including electricity, natural gas, and other fuels to ensure the province’s energy needs are met in a coordinated and long-term manner.
- Nuclear Energy – Advancing clean, reliable, and affordable nuclear power through pre-development work at Bruce Power on the province’s first large-scale nuclear build in 30 years, four small modular reactors at Darlington and supporting OPG’s plan for refurbishing the Pickering Nuclear Generation Station.
- New Transmission Infrastructure – Designating and prioritizing transmission lines in Southwestern, Northeastern and Eastern Ontario that will power job creators, including EV and EV battery manufacturing and clean steel production.
- Keeping Costs Down – Launching new energy efficiency programs on January 1, 2025, which build on the government’s $342 million expansion of existing energy efficiency programs which are helping families and businesses reduce their electricity usage and save money on their energy bills.
- Additional Competitive Procurements – Launching the largest competitive procurement of clean energy resources in the province’s history in addition to successfully re-contracting existing capacity resources at about a 30 per cent discount.
“Today’s announcements demonstrate that communities in Bruce, Grey and Huron Counties are proving that rural Ontario has the capacity, the talent and genuine desire to support the development of global-leading, cancer-fighting technologies, in addition to growing the production of clean, affordable energy that will position the province to confidently build for future growth and prosperity,” said Lisa Thompson, MPP for Huron-Bruce.
Quick Facts
- The hot cell at Bruce Power will support the repatriation of initial processing of lutetium-177 that involves removing the aluminum carriers to extract the lutetium, known as ‘decladding,’a process which currently takes place in Germany.
- Bruce Power has commissioned a second production line in its Unit 7 Isotope Production System (IPS), which will double lutetium-177 production capacity on Unit 7.
- The six-unit MCR Project began in January 2020, starting with Unit 6, and focuses on the replacement of key reactor components in Units 3-8, including steam generators, pressure tubes, calandria tubes and feeder tubes.
- The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) has forecast that by 2050, Ontario’s electricity consumption will rise by 75 per cent. This demand stems primarily from Ontario’s rapidly increasing population, new manufacturing facilities, advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) data centres, the electrification of industry, and the charging energy required for electric vehicles.
- Nuclear power currently provides more than 50 per cent of Ontario’s electricity supply and has positioned Ontario as one of the cleanest electricity grids in the world.
Quotes
“We’re proud to be part of this unique partnership that is not only helping to fight cancer on a global scale, but is a step forward in economic participation in meaningful projects in our Territory that will support us in implementing our vision for our Communities.”
– Chief Greg Nadjiwon
Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation
“On behalf of University Health Network, of which the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre is an integral part, we are deeply grateful to the Ontario Government and Bruce Power for their forward-looking investment in domestic medical isotope production. This is all in an effort to ensure Ontarian’s get the very best cancer care in the world. This new infrastructure in Bruce County not only supports the production of lutetium-177 for targeted cancer treatments but also positions Ontario as a leader in the field. With advancements in theranostics, we are entering an era where precision treatments can improve outcomes for the patients and families we are privileged to serve. Together, we are making strides toward a future where groundbreaking therapies are accessible and close to home.”
– Dr. Kevin Smith
President and CEO, University Health Network
“I applaud the welcome news that Ontario will increase production of the radioisotope lutetium-177 here in this province as it is critical for treating an increasing number of cancer patients with radiotheranostics. Radiotheranostics, which utilizes radioisotopes to image and treat cancer is an important focus for us at Princess Margaret. Increased production of lutetium-177 will help make radiotheranostics treatment more accessible to cancer patients.”
– Dr. David Kirsch
Head, Department of Radiation Oncology, University Health Network
“As Chair of the OMA section on Nuclear Medicine, this news is exciting for all members within Ontario and a tremendous move forward in the fight for cancer patients in Ontario, Canada and the world. The production and processing of Lutetium-177 is a global effort and having it processed in Ontario helps secure the international supply chain. As a nuclear oncologist with a large theranostic practice treating neuroendocrine and prostate cancer patients, this announcement ensures that physicians have a consistent supply of cancer-fighting isotopes for today and the future. Given the current radioligand programs provided in Ontario and Canada, along with the vast number of radiolabeled drugs that are pending or in the pipeline, this announcement is a significant step in the right direction to ensure that we have the tools to provide targeted therapies to our patients.”
– Dr. David Laidley
Chair, OMA section on Nuclear Medicine
Additional Resources
Ontario’s Affordable Energy Future: The Pressing Case for More Power
Learn about the government’s vision for Ontario’s energy future.
Learn about Ontario’s plan to provide families and industries with reliable, low-cost and clean power.
Media Contacts
Isha Chaudhuri
Minister’s Office
isha.chaudhuri@ontario.ca
Natasha Demetriades
Communications Branch
Natasha.Demetriades@ontario.ca
416-327-3855
NT5
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