ONTARIO-The Ontario government says it is investing an additional $4.6 million to increase production of cancer-fighting medical isotopes at the McMaster Nuclear Reactor.
Officials say leveraging the province’s nuclear advantage will further position Ontario as a global leader in nuclear medicine innovation and build a more resilient economy in an increasingly competitive global market.
“Cancer impacts us all, and Ontario is proudly leading the development of innovative solutions that save lives and make a meaningful difference for our loved ones,” said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. “This investment will ensure that Ontario families continue to have access to cutting-edge, homegrown treatments, while strengthening and protecting Ontario’s position as a global leader in nuclear medicine.”
Today’s announcement brings the Ontario government’s total investment in the McMaster Nuclear Reactor to $26.9 million, increasing medical isotope production and research capacity by 300 per cent to accelerate homegrown innovation in strategic areas such as radiopharmaceuticals, medical isotopes, nuclear safety and security. As Canada’s largest facility for nuclear research, the reactor will produce up to 84,000 treatments a year.
“Today’s announcement is an important step in strengthening Ontario’s leadership in isotope innovation and advancing the Government of Ontario’s goal of doubling isotope production by 2030. By expanding McMaster’s isotope production capacity and working in collaboration with the Nuclear Isotope Innovation Council of Ontario, the Government of Ontario is helping to ensure patients in Ontario and around the world have access to life-saving medical isotopes, while enabling research into the next generation of promising isotopes.” said Jason Scongack, Chair, Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council.
With more than 247,000 Canadians diagnosed with cancer each year, and two of every five Canadians developing cancer during their lifetime, the demand for precision radiopharmaceuticals is increasing, and so is the need for large-scale production of key isotopes. To meet this demand, the government launched the Nuclear Isotope Innovation Council of Ontario (NIICO) last year, an expert advisory panel that is helping to leverage Ontario’s world-class nuclear fleet to double the number of medical isotopes produced in the province by 2030.
“With two in five Canadians expected to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, increasing the capacity of the McMaster Nuclear Reactor means increasing hope for patients,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines. “Ontario has a plan to double medical isotope production by 2030, with this investment expanding production capacity, accelerating world-class research and strengthening our position as a global leader in nuclear innovation. Our government is bringing life-saving diagnostics and treatments to more patients across Ontario and around the world.”
“We welcome these additional resources from the Province of Ontario, and we embrace the opportunity to use them to enhance our production of medical isotopes,” said Susan Tighe, President and Vice Chancellor of McMaster University. “As we build on our tradition of nuclear innovation, we appreciate this affirmation that we are heading in the right direction.”
