Government of Canada Investing in Isotope Innovation

MP Holder Congratulates Lawson Health Research Institute

January 24, 2011 –  The Government of Canada has finalized agreements to invest in four projects to develop new ways of producing the key medical isotope technetium-99m (Tc-99m).  Tc-99m is the most widely used isotope for medical imaging and accounts for approximately 80 percent of nuclear medicine diagnostic procedures.   One of the major recipients in located in London.

“London will benefit as a result of the $6 million being awarded to a Lawson Health Research Institute project to conduct important research and demonstrate that they can produce medical isotopes in the cyclotron at St. Joseph’s Hospital in commercially relevant amounts.  With our Government’s support, we could see London produce a significant number of the critical medical isotopes that are needed,” said London West MP Ed Holder.

The two-year, $35 million Non-reactor-based Isotope Supply Contribution Program (NISP) is designed to advance cyclotron and linear accelerator technologies to achieve a more diverse and secure supply of Tc-99m, with less reliance on nuclear reactor-based production. 

This Program follows through on the federal Government’s commitment in Budget 2010 to support Canadian innovation in the production of medical isotopes.  These investments will help Canada move towards a more diversified supply chain - one that is robust and less vulnerable to disruption. The technologies would also help to reduce the production of radioactive waste that results from reactor-based production. 

The range of partners on these multidisciplinary teams reflects the expertise and creativity at work in laboratories and medical facilities across Canada.   The successful completion of these projects will lead to the creation of high-quality jobs in London and help position Canada as a global leader in emerging isotope production technologies.   

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