Canadian government support for radioisotope 'ecosystem'

30 June 2023

The government has announced funding of CAD35 million (USD26.5 million) to enable a pan-Canadian consortium - the Canadian Medical Isotope Ecosystem (CMIE) - to advance and accelerate the development of the next generation of novel medical isotopes and technologies.

The government initiative was announced at the Bruce Power Visitors' Centre. Pictured are (L-R): Dave Tucker (McMaster University); Mike Rencheck (Bruce Power); Rory Henry (Saugeen First Nation); Owen Roberts (CPDC); Pam Damoff; Kathryn Hayashi (TRIUMF Innovations); Chief Veronica Smith (Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation); Pat Dalzell (Bruce Power); John MacQuarrie, President (BWXT); Rachel Pickering (BWXT Medical); Douglas McIntyre (CNL) (Image: Bruce Power)

The partnership includes Indigenous communities as well as the nuclear industry, leading research facilities, academics, and firms working to commercialise novel therapies.

The CMIE was officially launched on 27 June by Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety Pam Damoff, on behalf of Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne. The consortium will be under the oversight of the Centre for Probe Development and Commercialization (CPDC) and TRIUMF Innovations, supporting projects with Bruce Power, BWXT Medical, McMaster University and Canadian Nuclear Laboratories.

The funding will be used over five years to develop initiatives focused on the production, advancement and distribution of medical isotopes and radiopharmaceuticals in Canada. The government estimates that the new ecosystem will attract more than CAD75 million in investments, create or maintain over 600 highly skilled jobs for Canadians, and create 30 internship opportunities, as well as advancing Canadian expertise on medical isotopes and making the country an attractive hub for investment in the medical isotopes sector.

As part of the funding, the Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON) will take the next step in their partnership with Bruce Power to jointly produce, advance and market new isotopes in support of the global fight against cancer, while also working together to create new economic opportunities within the SON territory. The power plant operator and SON's Gamzook’aamin aakoziwin collaboration, set up to market isotopes produced through the first-of-a-kind Isotope Production System installed at Bruce Power's Ontario power plant in 2022, includes a revenue-sharing program that provides a direct benefit to the community.

"The COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains for critical medical materials, such as medical isotopes," Damoff said. "With this investment in the creation of the Canadian Medical Isotope Ecosystem, the Government of Canada is taking another major step toward building resiliency in our domestic medical production capabilities, which will help to ensure the health and safety of Canadians in the event of any potential future global supply chain disruptions. This investment will not only grow the economy … but also contribute to the economic reconciliation with the Saugeen Ojibway Nation."

Researched and written by World Nuclear News