Bruce Power announced July 10 that it is joining forces with Kinectrics and Framatome to enable the production of a key medical isotope, Lutetium-177, used to treat prostate cancer.
“This is a very exciting day as we mark the beginning of a new partnership that sets the groundwork for the production of an isotope that treats prostate cancer,” said Mike Rencheck, Bruce Power’s President and CEO. “We want to ensure Canada remains at the forefront of global isotope development and production. Today’s announcement is a big step forward.”
Innovation in targeted cancer therapies is creating a significant worldwide demand for life-saving isotopes like Lutetium-177. Bruce Power notes that utilizing its reactors in this way “will help to ensure that this key medical isotope will be delivered to patients in Canada and around the world, reliably and affordably.”
The partnership will focus on achieving production in 2022 following regulatory and other approvals. Bruce Power will also be working with all levels of government to progress a number of strategic export and business development opportunities connected with this project to align with several key public policy areas.
The partnership will seek to leverage the multi-unit Bruce site to provide a stable, reliable supply of Lutetium-177 for many decades to come. Kinetrics and Framatome Canada Ltd. have teamed up to develop an Isotope Production System deployable on all Bruce Power units that can also support the future production of other isotopes in addition to Lutetium-177.
The new partnership, in conjunction with Bruce Power’s Life Extension program, helps to create a framework for isotope production until 2064, which is the expected life of the Bruce Power site following its Life Extension Program launched in 2016. Bruce Power reports that the project remains on time and on budget.
See related story "Saugeen Ojibway Nation and Bruce Power partner on isotope marketing."