Bruce Power gets funding to increase cancer-fighting isotope production
Domestic supply chains for medical isotope production in Canada has received a boost from the federal government.
Announced on Tuesday, the investment of up to $35 million over five years will support the project at the Bruce Power Nuclear Plant facility in Tiverton, Ont.
According to the federal government, this next phase will see the installation of a second isotope production system (IPS) at Bruce Power's CANDU Unit 6 reactor, which will allow for a significant increase in the plant's ability to produce the medical isotope lutetium-177, used in targeted cancer therapies.
'Canada is proud to support research and development on medical isotopes... With this investment, we will continue to play a leading role in the global supply of medical isotopes and drive the creation of innovative health care treatments for Canadians,' said Minister of Health, Marjorie Michel.
BRUCE POWER - ISOTOPES - AUG 2025
Officials make an announcement at Bruce Power on Aug. 19, 2025. (Scott Miller/CTV News London)
Medical isotopes are used by medical professionals to diagnose and treat health conditions such as heart disease and cancer.
Medical isotopes are produced using two overarching technologies: nuclear reactors and particle accelerators. There are currently global constraints on the supply of medical isotopes, and according to the government, the CMIE will ensure that Canada remains at the forefront of nuclear medicine innovation.
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