Bruce Power and partners mark two years of commercial production of cancer-fighting isotopes

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 the 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 the Saugeen Ojibway Nation, Isogen and ITM, are proud of the isotope program we have developed over the past 24 months,” said Eric Chassard, Bruce Power’s president and chief executive officer (CEO).

“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 Isogen president John D’Angelo. “The Isogen, Bruce Power, and ITM partnership has 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 the SON 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.

Learn more about how isotopes help keep hospitals safe, as well as diagnose and treat cancer, at www.brucepower.com/isotopes.