Bruce Power said Monday that it had completed the installation of a groundbreaking Isotope Production System (IPS), making the power plant's Unit 7 the first power reactor in the world with installed capability to produce Lutetium-177 (Lu-177).
Lu-177 is a medical isotope used in the treatment of various cancers, such as neuroendocrine tumors and prostate cancer. In the future, this system will also have the ability to produce other isotopes for medical uses, Bruce Power said.
“This installation of the IPS is an exciting milestone on our journey to becoming the first power reactor in the world to provide a scalable, game-changing solution in the supply of life-saving medical isotopes for the global medical community,” said James Scongack, Bruce Power’s Chief Development Officer and Executive Vice President, Operational Services.
“Our medical isotope program and the IPS installation are a result of years of innovation and development in partnership with Isogen, Saugeen Ojibway Nation, and ITM, and will provide large-scale capacity to help produce medical isotopes, which will be used across the world in new treatments to fight cancer.”
With the new system now installed, activities will shift to planned commissioning along with preparation activities for commercial production that will follow once these activities and regulatory submissions are successfully completed.
Lu-177 offers doctors an alternative to traditional chemotherapy by deploying a “seek-and-destroy” dose to target cancer cells, while limiting damage to surrounding healthy tissues and organs.
The IPS was developed and manufactured by Isogen, a joint venture between Framatome and Kinectrics, which is focused on developing innovative isotope production technologies.
With its new IPS system, Bruce Power will conduct the irradiation of Ytterbium-176 (176Yb) as a first step in the production of no-carrier-added Lutetium-177 (n.c.a. 177Lu). Processing of the irradiated Ytterbium-176 for the production of n.c.a. Lutetium-177, as well as the global supply of n.c.a. 177Lu, will be handled by ITM Isotope Technologies Munich SE (ITM), a leading radiopharmaceutical biotech company that is one of the largest and most reliable producer of Lu-177 for pharmaceutical use.
“The successful installation of this production site builds an important milestone in our partnership with Bruce Power and Isogen to scale up the production of high-quality medical radioisotopes,” said Steffen Schuster, CEO at ITM.
The installation of the IPS is a significant step in the landmark isotope project, which is a partnership that began more than three years ago with over 400 dedicated professionals working on various stages of the project.
Bruce Power will market the new isotope supply in an historic collaboration partnership with Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON). The partnership project with SON, named “Gamzook’aamin Aakoziwin,” includes an equity stake for SON and a revenue-sharing program that provides a direct benefit.
“From the initial concept in 2019 to production expected in 2022, our Gamzook’aamin Aakoziwin project is on track to meet an ambitious timeline to have isotope supply ready to meet the increasing demand from doctors and cancer patients around the world,” said Chief Lester Anoquot, Chippewas of Saugeen First Nation. “Saugeen Ojibway Nation is proud of the part we have played and will continue to play in this project.”
“Short-lived medical isotopes are essential tools for doctors and researchers in the fight against cancer, and this project will provide a much-needed source of these isotopes for patients close to home, in our communities, and around the world,” added Chief Veronica Smith, Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation.