[News-releases] Making medical isotopes without nuclear reactors

[Tim Meyer]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Report Identifies Method for Making Medical Isotopes without Nuclear
Reactors

(Vancouver, B.C.) - TRIUMF, the University of British Columbia, and Advanced
Applied Physics Solutions, Inc. (AAPS) released a report today proposing a
uniquely Canadian method for producing select medical isotopes which avoids
using weapons-grade uranium and nuclear reactors.  Global concern about the
reliable supply of key medical isotopes has grown in the recent past,
heightened last year in Canada when the Chalk River nuclear reactor
encountered regulatory challenges and was shut down for an extended period. 

"This report takes a close look at an alternative to using nuclear reactors
to make these medical isotopes.  The new technology is based on high-power
accelerators, an area in which TRIUMF is a global leader." said authoring
committee co-chair and TRIUMF director Nigel S. Lockyer.  "As a public
research institution, we felt it important to take a close look at Canadian
solutions to this potential problem." 

Presently, 80-85% of all nuclear medicine procedures use a medical isotope
known as Technetium-99 (Tc-99), which is prepared from a parent radioactive
atom, Molybdenum-99 (Mo-99).  There are about 40 million such procedures
worldwide per year, of which 20 million are performed in North America and
about 1.5 million of those in Canada.  Canada supplies about half of the
world market for this isotope with the Chalk River reactor operated by
Atomic Energy Canada, Ltd.

The key physical process is the fission of a uranium nucleus.  The
present-day technique uses a neutron to split the weapons-grade uranium,
while the alternative solution examined in the report uses a photon instead
to fission natural uranium nuclei in a process called photo-fission.  The
technology exists to build a particle accelerator capable of driving enough
photo-fission to supply much of Canada's need for the Mo-99 isotope.  A
system of a half-dozen machines would enhance reliability and ensure
Canada's competitiveness in the North American market.  

"This novel method is certainly of great interest to private enterprise,"
said Phillip Gardner, president and CEO of AAPS.  "Our company's mission is
to research, develop and commercialize innovative technologies from TRIUMF
and other advanced physics research with potential for the social and
economic benefit of Canadians.  With all the aging reactors around the world
experiencing technical issues, it is critical that we explore a new approach
with experts in the field and with commercial partners."

The report was authored by a task force of more than 20 experts from across
North America.  Lockyer co-chaired the task force along with Thomas J. Ruth,
a senior researcher at TRIUMF and the BC Cancer Agency.  Lockyer explained,
"This report doesn't propose that TRIUMF become a medical-isotope factory.
Rather, it demonstrates that a new technology developed in basic physics
research has real-world applications."  The photo-fission accelerator
technology arises from a new project at TRIUMF in a collaboration led by the
University of Victoria. 

The Task Force on Alternatives for Medical-Isotope Production was convened
by TRIUMF, the University of British Columbia, and Advanced Applied Physics
Solutions, with support from Natural Resources Canada.  Additional
information available at URL
http://admin.triumf.ca/facility/5yp/comm/isotope-task-force.php.  

--ends--

********************************************************
Timothy I. Meyer, Ph.D.
Head, Strategic Planning and Communications
TRIUMF
4004 Wesbrook Mall
Vancouver, BC V6T 2A3
Tel: 604-222-7674
E-mail: tmeyer at triumf.ca
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