Cancer-fighting medical isotopes’ production gets nuclear authority’s regulatory approval

By bringing this capability to site, Bruce Power will further streamline isotope production, reduce transportation requirements, enhance worker safety, lower emissions and strengthen Ontario’s position as a global leader in medical isotope innovation, according to a press release. “This approval represents another transformational step in Bruce Power’s journey to improve lives through the production of cancer-fighting medical isotopes,” said James Scongack, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice-President, Bruce Power. “With the hot cell now licensed and approved for operations, we are strengthening Ontario’s integrated isotope supply chain, increasing efficiency, and expanding our ability to deliver cancer-fighting medical isotopes to patients around the world. This achievement reflects years of innovation, collaboration and dedication from our employees, partners and regulators, and reinforces Canada’s position as a global leader in isotope production.”The company also pointed out that the construction of the hot cell was completed earlier this year, through a Canadian collaboration involving Bruce Power, Kinectrics, Bird Construction and a broad cross-functional team from across Bruce Power’s operations, engineering, licensing, radiation protection, safety and business development organizations. The hot cell enables qualified operators to safely handle irradiated materials remotely while minimizing radiation exposure. Bruce Power has been producing cobalt-60 since 1986, supplying isotopes used to sterilize approximately 30 per cent of the world’s single-use medical devices. The company began producing medical-grade cobalt-60 for cancer treatments in 2021 and became the first commercial nuclear power reactor in the world to produce lutetium-177 in 2022, using its Isotope Production System (IPS). The new hot cell is part of a broader isotope production expansion effort at Bruce Power, which also includes an additional IPS in Unit 6, as per the release.“This achievement demonstrates how rural Ontario continues to lead in some of the world’s most advanced nuclear technologies,” said Hon. Lisa Thompson, MPP for Huron-Bruce and Minister of Rural Affairs. “The approval for operation of Bruce Power’s hot cell, is not only an investment in our region’s economic future, but also a testament to the skilled workforce, strong communities and spirit of innovation that define Bruce, Grey and Huron counties.”