Canada’s Bruce Power has installed its innovative Isotope Production System (IPS) at unit 6 the Bruce NPP. Unit 6 is the first reactor to be renewed under the company’s Life-Extension Programme and Major Component Replacement (MCR) Project. It was returned to service in 2023 and will now not only continue to provide power but will be capable of producing lutetium-177 (Lu-177), a widely used targeted cancer therapy.
“Ontario’s nuclear industry is one of our best made-in-Canada energy success stories, and continues to be a world leader in 2025,” said Federal Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Tim Hodgson. “Almost 60% of Ontario’s electricity comes from nuclear, and the sector employs more than 89,000 Canadians and adds CAD22bn ($16bn) to our economy each year. In addition, Canadian Candu reactors produce a significant supply of the world’s medical isotopes – and, with a new Isotope Production System in unit 6, will ensure Canadian technology continues to be instrumental in the fight against cancer worldwide.”
Building on the success of the world’s first commercial nuclear reactor-based production of Lu-177 in unit 7 and its expansion to double its capacity, the new IPS in unit 6 will further increase production capacity. The new IPS will also ensure a stable supply of lutetium when unit 7 is taken off-line for its scheduled Major Component Replacement (MCR) outage in 2028.
The IPS technology, developed in partnership with Isogen (a joint venture between Kinectrics Inc and Framatome Canada), uses Bruce Power’s Candu reactors to irradiate ytterbium-176, transforming it into Lu-177 through a safe and efficient process. The irradiated targets are then processed and distributed to health-care facilities around the world.
Lu-177 is used in targeted radionuclide therapy to treat prostate cancer and has approved and expanding applications in this area. Its precision enables the destruction of diseased cells while sparing healthy tissue, offering hope to patients worldwide.
Part of the funding for the new Isotope Production System (IPS) will come from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s Strategic Innovation Fund, which supports the Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON) to expand their partnership with Bruce Power.
“Considering the rising global demand for medical isotopes, Canada is building on its current capabilities, innovation and expertise,” said James Scongack, Bruce Power’s Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice-President, as well as Chair of the Canadian Nuclear Isotopes Council. “Canada is in a strong position to meet further its position as a leader in isotope innovation.”
“We’re excited to partner in the expansion of Bruce Power’s production of medical isotopes,” said John D’Angelo, President, Isogen. “This innovative technology has been a game-changer in providing the world health-care community and patients with a steady supply of the isotopes they use every day and will help meet the growing need.”
Ontario’s Minister of Energy and Mines Stephen Lecce said: “While almost one-third of Ontario’s power is generated at Bruce, we are proud to expand life-saving isotopes production at this world-class generating station. Ontario has an ambitious plan to double medical isotope production by 2030, driven in part by the expansion at Unit 6, enabling 24/7 production of cancer-fighting isotopes for Canadians and the world.”
