French nuclear reactor firm Framatome and Toronto-based Kinectrics have launched a joint venture, called Isogen, to provide support for the production of the medical isotope lutetium-177 (Lu-177).
Isogen will partner with Bruce Power of Tiverton, Ontario, to use its eight-unit facility to manufacture Lu-177, which is used in targeted radionuclide therapy for the treatment of a number of cancers, including prostate cancer, neuroendocrine tumors, and bone metastases.
Lu-177 is produced by exposing ytterbium-176 to radiation. The ytterbium-176 is sealed in special containers and placed in an isotope production system in one of Bruce Power's reactors for approximately 14 days. The resulting containers of Lu-177 are sent for processing and distribution to healthcare facilities worldwide.
Isogen will design, supply and support the licensing of the isotope production system to support large-scale production of Lu-177 starting in 2022.
