Two years ago, Bruce Power became the first commercial nuclear operator to produce lutetium-177, a cancer-fighting isotope, through an innovative Isotope Production System (IPS) and an international collaboration with Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON), Isogen (a Kinectrics and Framatome company) and ITM Isotope Technologies Munich SE (ITM).
In the 24 months since commercial production of lutetium-177 began, the partners have expanded production capabilities to match rapidly increasing global demand, beginning with system innovations in 2023 and doubling down on capacity this year through the introduction of a second production line.
“Bruce Power and our partners at Saugeen Ojibway Nation, Isogen and ITM are proud of the isotope program we have developed over the last 24 months,” said Eric Chassard, Bruce Power President and Chief Executive Officer. “Through leveraging Bruce Power’s continual operations and thanks to the innovative spirit and hard work of thousands of employees across our international partnership, we have developed a stable, reliable source of cancer-fighting isotopes, which are being sent to doctors, patients and researchers worldwide for use in targeted cancer therapies.”
The IPS, which was installed in Bruce Power’s Unit 7 and began commercial production in October of 2022, is used to produce lutetium-177, an isotope which is used in precision oncology for targeted therapy of a growing number of cancers, including neuroendocrine tumours and prostate cancer. The IPS was designed and manufactured through partnership with Isogen.
“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.”
Since commercial production began, the reliable, stable production of Bruce Power’s Unit 7 has meant that there have been no missed shipments of the isotope to ITM, which processes and distributes the medical isotopes. ITM is the leading supplier of pharmaceutical-grade lutetium-177, which is being used in various clinical and commercial radiopharmaceutical cancer treatments and is steadily growing in demand worldwide.
“Marking two years of commercial production with Bruce Power and Isogen is a significant milestone in our efforts to broaden access to vital cancer treatments,” said Dr. Andrew Cavey, CEO of ITM. “This collaboration has strengthened the global supply of lutetium-177, underscoring our commitment to advancing radiopharmaceutical innovations for patients around the world. We’re eager to keep making a difference together.”
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,” said 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,” said 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.”
Learn more about how isotopes help to keep hospitals safe, as well as diagnose and treat cancer at www.brucepower.com/isotopes.
About Bruce Power
Bruce Power is an electricity company based in Bruce County, Saugeen Ojibway Nation Territory, Ontario. We are powered by our people. Our 4,200 employees are the foundation of our accomplishments and are proud of the role they play in safely delivering clean, reliable nuclear power to families and businesses across the province and cancer-fighting medical isotopes around the world. Bruce Power has worked hard to build strong roots in Ontario and is committed to protecting the environment and supporting the communities in which we live. Formed in 2001, Bruce Power is a Canadian-owned partnership of TC Energy, OMERS, the Power Workers’ Union and The Society of United Professionals. Learn more at www.brucepower.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.
About Isogen
Isogen is a joint venture between Framatome and Kinectrics, whose mission is to enable the use of CANDU reactors to produce the medical isotopes needed to treat and diagnose patients with serious diseases world-wide. Isogen’s enabling partnerships with Bruce Power and ITM allows us to produce the world’s largest and most reliable supply of life-saving, short-lived, therapeutic medical isotopes. Learn more at www.isogen.ca and follow us on LinkedIn.
About ITM Isotope Technologies Munich SE
ITM, a leading radiopharmaceutical biotech company, is dedicated to providing a new generation of radiomolecular precision therapeutics and diagnostics for hard-to-treat tumors. We aim to meet the needs of cancer patients, clinicians and our partners through excellence in development, production and global supply. With improved patient benefit as the driving principle for all we do, ITM advances a broad precision oncology pipeline, including two phase III studies, combining the company’s high-quality radioisotopes with a range of targeting molecules. By leveraging our two decades of pioneering radiopharma expertise, central industry position and established global network, ITM strives to provide patients with more effective targeted treatment to improve clinical outcome and quality of life. www.itm-radiopharma.com
About the Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON)
Saugeen Ojibway Nation describes the Territory and the Anishnaabek People of the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation and Chippewas of Saugeen First Nation. The Saugeen Anishnaabek have inhabited the Saugeen (Bruce) Peninsula for as long as history remembers. As Anishnaabek, SON People are subject to Anishnaabe law and are ever mindful of our duty to be stewards of our land. SON Territory includes over 2 million acres of southwestern Ontario and it includes the lake bed of Lake Huron surrounding the Territory. SON has treaties with the Crown, sharing part of our land with people from around the world.
