Ontario Expanding Ability to Process Cancer Fighting Medical Isotopes

November 8, 2024

Kinccardine – The Ontario government and Bruce Power have 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.

“By repatriating the processing of Lutetium-177, we are expanding life-saving access to cancer-fighting treatments across the province, including patients in Niagara,” said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West.

“This is great news, both for our emerging life sciences sector, as well as the people of Ontario.”

“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 Hon. 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, 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 Saugeen Ojibway Nation 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 thirty 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, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bruce Power.

“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.