Bruce Power is increasing its production capability for a cancer-fighting medical isotope.
This week, the company announced they’d be ramping up production of lutetium-177 in the reactor core of Unit 7.
The isotope is used in precision oncology for target therapy in the treatment of several cancers, including neuroendocrine tumours as well as prostate cancer.
John Peevers, the director of community and media relations for Bruce Power, says that the increase in production is part of a partnership with Saugeen Ojibway Nation, Isogen, and ITM Isotope Technologies.
“We’re continuing to innovate at Bruce Power and working to optimize the amount of the cancer treatment that we can provide from our site, and it’s a great partnership.”
Peevers says that the company, and its partners, are proud of the work to expand lutetium-177 production.
“There’s just a ton of pride both with our employees and within this partnership… Not many other people are aware that we’re continuing to do our part in providing these medical isotopes.”
In a media release, the company says that its partnership has recently implemented an isotope target innovation that increases the amount of ytterbium-176 inside each target sent into Unit 7, where it’s then irradiated into lutetium-177.
He also says that the additional production wouldn’t have been possible without the collaboration with SON, as the company operates on the traditional lands of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation.
Production for lutetium-177 began in October 2022.