Mark Harfensteller, seated at left, Managing Director Production, F&E, Engineering, SSI for Isotopen Technologien München (ITM), signs a Memorandum of Understanding with James Scongack, front middle, Bruce Power’s Vice President of Corporate Affairs & Environment, to explore the production of the medical radioisotope Lutetium-177 in Bruce Power’s reactors. Lutetium-177 is used in Targeted Radionuclide Therapy to treat cancers like neuroendocrine tumours and prostate cancer. Medical-grade Lutetium is used to destroy cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unaffected. Also in the photo is (front right) Pat Dalzell, Senior Strategist, Bruce Power Corporate Affairs; Ingo Russnak, Supply Chain Manager, ITM; and Kurt Wigle, Bruce Power’s Department Manager, Waste Management and Isotopes.

Bruce Power, a nuclear power company and source of medical radioisotopes, and ITM Isotopen Technologien München (ITM), a specialized radiopharmaceutical company, announced June 28 that ITM´s subsidiary, ITG, and Bruce Power have signed an agreement to explore the production of the medical radioisotope Lutetium-177.

In a Bruce Power media release, Lutetium-177 is used in Targeted Radionuclide Therapy to treat cancers like neuroendocrine tumours and prostate cancer. Medical-grade Lutetium is used to destroy cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unaffected.

The companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore the production of Lutetium-177 at the Bruce Power site, which has the ability to meet global supply needs through 2064. The joint effort will explore how Lutetium-177 can be produced at Bruce Power’s CANDU reactors.

“Bruce Power is a world leader in the production of critical radioisotopes used to treat cancer,” said Mike Rencheck, Bruce Power’s President and CEO. “By developing innovative ways to generate these radioisotopes, we help ensure that the medical community has access to a reliable source of medical radioisotopes for Targeted Radionuclide Therapy.”

Development, processing, and global distribution of Lutetium-177 will be managed by ITG. This partnership aims to meet the medical community’s growing demand for Lutetium-177.

“We are looking forward to working with Bruce Power to secure a new global supply source of our medical-grade Lutetium,” said Steffen Schuster, CEO of ITM. “With Bruce Power’s long-term outlook to operate its facility through 2064 and its existing expertise with Cobalt production, we have the opportunity to provide a stable source of Lutetium-177 to cancer patients worldwide.”