Bruce Power is celebrating two years of commercial production of cancer fighting isotopes.
The Unit 7 reactor began producing lutetium-177 in October of 2022. That isotope is used around the world in precision oncology for targeted therapy of a growing number of cancers.
Bruce Power COO James Scongack says he's proud that Bruce Power was the first commercial nuclear operator to start producing the isotopes.
"We really changed the game around the world in the sense of providing short-lived medical isotopes in a reliable manner from a power reactor. So that's good news to the global radiopharmaceutical sector," Scongack stated.
Scongack adds that the partnership with Isogen, ITM and Saugeen Ojibway Nation will allow Bruce Power to expand production of lutetium-177 as they prepare to install another production line soon. He says the cancers being treated with the isotopes are very serious and the demand is huge.
"So lutetium-177 is an isotope that's commonly referred to as 'thera-nostic', so both diagnostic and therapeutic elements with it. Right now, it's used to treat neuroendocrine tumours and prostate cancer," Scongack explained.
Bruce Power also produces Cobalt-60, an isotope used around the world to sanitize and clean medical grade equipment, some of which is used to help treat cancer patients. Scongack says everyone will be touched by cancer in some way, so Bruce Power and the partners involved are very happy to continue this work.
"We're exceptionally proud of this because this is something that we know is important, we know people are counting on us and we look forward to continuing to innovate and move forward and ensuring that we're providing people that support that they need in these very challenging situations," added Scongack.
The isotopes being produced at Bruce Power are being used all over the globe to help the medical community treat patients with a number of illnesses.
"Our Cobalt-60 which is used for sterilization, brain tumours, breast cancer treatment, that is obviously processed here in Ontario and sent all over the world, countries in every corner of the world. Lutetium-177 is also obviously used very broadly all over the world, as well, so again, we're very proud of this production over the last 2 years," noted Scongack. "These lifesaving medical isotopes are used around the world and Canada for over 50 years has been a world leader on this front. So we should be proud of that as Canadians, and it's great to see that tradition of strong Canadian leadership continuing.
Moving forward, Scongack says the goal will be to expand production of these isotopes to other units at Bruce Power.
"Our goal will be to use this capability to produce different isotopes and new isotopes. So this is a program that with our partners at ITM and Isogen and Saugeen Ojibway Nation, we look forward to expanding and continuing to do everything we can in the global fight against cancer," said Scongack proudly.
“We are excited to reach this two-year milestone that celebrates the steady production of life-saving medical isotopes,” said John D’Angelo, President of Isogen. “The Isogen, Bruce Power, and ITM partnership have been dedicated to continuously maintain and improve operations through collaboration to ensure cancer patients worldwide receive the treatments they need on time.”
Bruce Power’s equity partnership with Saugeen Ojibway Nation is named Gamzook’aamin aakoziwin, which means Fighting Cancer Together, and supports the global fight against cancer while creating new economic opportunities within SON Territory. The partnership, which began in 2019, has expanded in step with the increasing output of the IPS.
“SON is proud to play a role in the fight against cancer and looks forward to continuing our success in the years to come,” shared Chief Conrad Ritchie, Chippewas of Saugeen First Nation.
“Isotopes are an essential part of health care, and the cancer-fighting isotopes produced through our Gamzook’aamin aakoziwin partnership with Bruce Power are opening doors for researchers and doctors to provide patients with cutting-edge tools in the fight against cancer,” added Chief Greg Nadjiwon, Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation. “Today, we celebrate two years of commercial isotope production, playing a leadership role in the global fight against cancer while also helping build economic opportunities for our Territory, people and communities.”
You can learn more about Bruce Power and its isotope program at www.brucepower.com/isotopes.