ITM: installation of a new isotope production system at Bruce Power to produce medical isotopes for the treatment of cancer completed

GARCHING, Germany and MUNICH–(BUSINESS WIRE)– ITM Isotope Technologies Munich SE (ITM), a leading radiopharmaceutical biotechnology company, today announced that its partners Bruce Power and Isogen (a partnership between Kinectrics and Framatome) have completed the installation of an Isotope Production System (IPS) revolutionary, becoming the first power reactor in the world with the installed capacity to produce lutetium-177 (Lu-177), a medical isotope used in the treatment of various cancers, such as neuroendocrine tumors and prostate cancer. This system will also have the capacity to produce other isotopes for long-term medical purposes.

“This IPS facility is an exciting step on our journey to becoming the world’s first power reactor to provide a scalable and breakthrough solution in the supply of life-saving medical isotopes for the global medical community,” said James Scongack, Chief Development Officer and Executive Vice President of Operational Services at Bruce Power. “Our medical isotope program and IPS facility is the result of years of innovation and development in partnership with Isogen (a Framatome and Kinectrics company), Saugeen Ojibway Nation and ITM; and will provide large-scale capacity to help produce medical isotopes, which will be used around the world in new treatments to fight cancer.

Once the new system is installed, activities will now move into planned commissioning as well as commercial production readiness activities that will follow once these activities and regulatory submissions are successfully completed.

“Ontario is at the forefront of the production and supply of medical isotopes around the world,” said the Hon. Todd Smith, Ontario Minister of Energy. “I am proud of the innovative work done by Bruce Power and its supply chain partners, including Framatome and Kinectrics. Their efforts are helping to further solidify our position as an international isotope superpower, while providing essential medical tools to help meet the needs of patients battling cancer.

Lu-177 offers physicians an alternative to traditional chemotherapy by deploying a “seek-and-destroy” dose to target cancer cells while limiting damage to surrounding healthy tissues and organs.

The IPS was developed and manufactured by Isogen, a joint venture between Framatome and Kinectrics, which focuses on the development of innovative isotope production technologies.

“The installation and successful transfer of the first target marks a major achievement and successful implementation of Framatome Healthcare technology; the first Isotope Production System (IPS) in a power reactor for the commercial production of therapeutic medical isotopes,” said Curtis Van Cleve, President and CEO of Framatome Canada Ltd. “We salute the dedication and effort of our partners, at Bruce Power, Saugeen Ojibway Nation, Kinectrics, ITM and our team, as well as the support of their families who made this installation possible.

“The installation of the IPS is the result of countless hours of support from many people at Bruce Power, Framatome, Kinectrics, Saugeen Ojibway Nation and our suppliers. The entire team has shown extraordinary dedication, especially during the pandemic. said David Harris, CEO of Kinectrics. “This was a critical step to enable the production of lutetium-177 for our partner, ITM, and to strengthen a strong, reliable, large-scale global supply chain of lifesaving isotopes, on which doctors and patients can count. ”

With its new IPS system, Bruce Power will irradiate Ytterbium-176 (¹⁷⁶Yb) as a first step in the production of Lutetium-177 without added carrier (nec ¹⁷⁷Read). Processing of irradiated Ytterbium-176 for the production of nec Lutetium-177 as well as the global supply of nec ¹⁷⁷Lu will be managed by ITM.

“The successful installation of this production site is an important step in our partnership with Bruce Power and Isogen to scale up the production of high quality medical radioisotopes.said Steffen Schuster, CEO of ITM. “We look forward to the upcoming launch of the IPS system and are proud to contribute with our unique manufacturing methodology to produce high quality nca ¹⁷⁷Lu and make it accessible to cancer patients around the world.

The installation of the IPS is a milestone in the historic Isotopes Project, which is a partnership that began over three years ago with over 400 dedicated professionals working at various stages of the project.

In November 2021, Bill Walker, MPP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, introduced a private member’s motion – which passed with all-party support – to affirm the leadership role of the Ontario in the production and supply of medical isotopes as a strategic priority for the province. Today’s announcement illustrates that Ontario continues to be at the forefront of medical isotope technology.

“I would like to congratulate Bruce Power, Framatome and Kinectrics for this important achievement”, said MPP Walker. “Ontario has long been considered a leader in medical isotopes, and these partners play an important role in the global supply chain to provide patients around the world with cancer treatments and diagnostic tools that save lives.

Bruce Power will market the new isotope supply through a historic collaborative partnership with Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON). The partnership project with SON, named “Gamzook’aamin Aakoziwin”, includes equity participation in SON and a revenue sharing program that directly benefits SON.

“From initial concept in 2019 to planned production in 2022, our Gamzook’aamin Aakoziwin project is on track to meet an ambitious schedule to ensure isotope supply is ready to meet growing demand from physicians and patients alike.” of cancer all over the world, said Chief Lester Anoquot, Chippewas of Saugeen First Nation. “The Saugeen Ojibway Nation is proud of the role we have played and will continue to play in this project.

“Short-lived medical isotopes are essential tools for physicians and researchers in the fight against cancer, and this project will provide a much-needed source of these isotopes for patients close to home, in our communities and across the world. whole world “, added Chief Veronica Smith, Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation.

“With the investments made today at the Bruce Power site, we can look to the future and fulfill a vital role in providing lifesaving medical isotopes to the world, while providing clean, reliable, low-cost electricity. to Ontario, growing the economy and fostering innovation for decades to come,” said the Hon. Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and Member of Parliament for Huron-Bruce.

– To finish –

About ITM Isotope Technologies Munich SE

ITM, a radiopharmaceutical biotechnology company, is dedicated to providing the most accurate cancer radiation therapies and diagnostics to meet the needs of patients, clinicians and our partners through excellence in development, manufacturing and global supply. . With patient benefit as the driving principle of everything we do, ITM is advancing a broad pipeline, including two Phase III studies, combining its high-quality radioisotopes with targeting molecules to develop precision oncology treatments. ITM leverages its leadership and nearly two decades of radiopharmaceutical expertise combined with its global network to enable nuclear medicine to reach its full potential to help patients live better, longer lives. For more information, visit: www.itm-radiopharma.com.

ITM Medical Isotopes GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of ITM Isotope Technologies Munich SE, had signed a Lutetium-177 supply agreement with Isogen in 2020, made possible through Isogen’s partnership with Bruce Power.

About Bruce Power

Bruce Power is an electricity company based in Bruce County, Ontario. We are powered by our employees. Our 4,200 employees are the foundation of our accomplishments and are proud of the role they play in safely providing clean, reliable, low-cost nuclear power to families and businesses across the province, as well as medical isotopes vital all over the world. Bruce Power has worked hard to establish 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.

You can learn more about how Bruce Power helps keep hospitals safe and help diagnose and treat cancer by visiting www.brucepower.com/isotopes.

About Isogen

Isogen is a joint venture between Framatome and Kinectrics, whose mission is to enable the use of CANDU reactors to produce the medical isotopes needed to treat and diagnose patients with serious diseases worldwide. Isogen’s enabling partnerships with Bruce Power and ITM enable us to produce the world’s largest and most reliable supply of life-saving, short-lived therapeutic medical isotopes.

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