Bruce Power is proud to be a member of the Nuclear Isotope Innovation Council of Ontario (NIICO) and applauds the provincial government for taking a positive step forward in leading the way in becoming a global superpower in the production of cancer-fighting medical isotopes.
Hon. Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines, announced the formation of NIICO July 30 at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto, surrounded by health-care professionals who have seen the amazing benefits of medical isotopes for cancer treatments.
“More than 247,000 Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer this year, a devastating reality that hits home as my late-mother and father have been afflicted by this disease,” Lecce said. “One of the most consequential tools doctors have available to diagnose and treat this disease will come from Ontario’s nuclear generating stations: life-saving medical isotopes. By doubling production by 2030, Ontario’s biomanufacturing economy will emerge as the global leader harnessing the power of nuclear innovation to save lives.”
As part of the announcement, Lecce also introduced James Scongack as the appointed chairperson for the newly formed ministerial advisory panel. Bruce Power’s Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice-President has long been a champion of medical isotope innovation and production as a founding chair of the industry led Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council (CNIC).
“This is an exciting opportunity to expand Ontario’s leadership role in medical isotope innovation and bring hope to patients around the world,” Scongack said. “I would like to thank Minister Lecce, the government, industry, health care and community leaders for their commitment to growing our medical isotope sector.”
Leveraging Ontario’s nuclear fleet, the province and Canada have been leaders in the production of medical isotopes for decades. In addition to generating affordable, reliable and clean electricity, Ontario’s nuclear reactors are global powerhouses in the innovation and production of life-saving medical isotopes, an advantage that must be expanded as demand for precision radiopharmaceuticals continues to grow at home and around the world.
“It is a privilege to be a physician member of NIICO as we have to plan the global expansion of medical isotopes in the treatment of multiple cancer types. It is critical and challenging to lay the path forward so that all cancer patients in Ontario have access to these life-prolonging therapies, and their voices heard. We are privileged in Ontario to have world-leading nuclear isotope facilities and doctors committed to advancing cancer care with medical isotopes,” said Dr. Arjun Sahgal, Chief of the Department of Radiation Oncology and the Radiation Treatment Program, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, and President of the International Stereotactic Radiosurgery Society
Ontario’s longstanding isotope leadership, from cobalt-60, which revolutionized external beam cancer treatments and the sterilization of medical equipment, to more recent ground-breaking innovation that leverages CANDU technologies to produce lutetium-177 and molybdenum-99, has already made an invaluable impact on global health care. As cancer rates rise, the global nuclear medicine market is projected to reach $33 billion by 2031.
“Ontario’s world-class nuclear sector is not only producing clean energy — it’s helping save lives here at home and around the world,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “Through the new Nuclear Isotope Innovation Council of Ontario, we’re strengthening our global leadership in the production of life-saving medical isotopes, supporting advanced cancer care and protecting Ontario’s communities by ensuring patients have access to cutting-edge treatments when they need them. This is how we build a stronger, healthier Ontario and drive innovation that benefits people across the globe.”
NIICO will leverage the leadership of the CNIC and distinguished experts in the field of medical isotope production and use. NIICO will develop a report on the key opportunities and next steps in research, development, and production of medical isotopes in the province, and how Ontario’s nuclear energy initiatives can make the province an isotope powerhouse.
“Through the launch of the Nuclear Isotope Innovation Council of Ontario, our government continues to build on the bold vision set out in our Life Sciences Strategy and reinforce Ontario’s leadership in radioisotope production and innovation,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “By expanding Ontario’s nuclear medicine advantage and harnessing the strength of our biomanufacturing sector, we are ensuring that cancer patients of all ages can benefit from reliable access to cutting-edge treatments and positioning our province at the heart of the competitive isotope economy.”
The council will also ensure its work reflects the recent announcement by the Ontario government on Fortress Am-Can. The United States is one of the largest pharmaceutical markets in the world and it relies on a reliable supply of medical isotopes that are made in Ontario.
Along with Scongack, other distinguished leaders and experts comprise the council, including: Riaz Bandali, Nordion; Dr. Rebecca Wong, University Health Network (UHN); Dr. Karin Stephenson, McMaster University; Kim Lauritsen, Ontario Power Generation (OPG); John D’Angelo, IsoGen; Chief Greg Nadjiwon, Gamzook’aamin aakoziwin; Dr. Doug Boreham, Northern Ontario School of Medicine; Dominik Nowak, Ontario Medical Association; Dr. Sahgal, Sunnybrook Hospital; and Vittorio Puppo, BWXT Medical.
About Bruce Power
Bruce Power is an electricity company based in Bruce County, Saugeen Ojibway Nation Territory, Ontario. We are powered by our people. Our 4,200 employees are the foundation of our accomplishments and are proud of the role they play in safely delivering clean, reliable nuclear power to families and businesses across the province and cancer-fighting medical isotopes around the world. Bruce Power has worked hard to build strong roots in Ontario and is committed to protecting the environment and supporting the communities in which we live. Formed in 2001, Bruce Power is a Canadian-owned partnership of TC Energy, OMERS, the Power Workers’ Union and The Society of United Professionals. Learn more at www.brucepower.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.
