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TRIUMF Welcomes Federal Government's Forward Steps on Medical Isotopes

News Release | For Immediate Release | May 29, 2009

 

(Vancouver, BC) -- Yesterday, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources Lisa Raitt and Minister of Health Leona Aglukkaq announced the Government's plan to establish an Expert Review Panel for Long-Term Isotope Supply Solutions. TRIUMF, Canada's national laboratory for particle and nuclear physics, supports these steps and looks forward to contributing to the process.

"This is good for Canada," said TRIUMF director Nigel S. Lockyer. "I am pleased that the Government is taking ownership of the medical-isotope situation. Historically, Canada has been a global leader in this business and these steps will help ensure the future of Canadian healthcare and Canada's position in the world market."

TRIUMF and MDS Nordion announced a partnership agreement in April 28, 2009, to study the feasibility of producing a viable and reliable supply of molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) using linear accelerators through a process known as photo-fission. The team will pool expertise, infrastructure, and resources to collaboratively develop a commercialization plan, which will include an operational plan, business model and time lines. A demonstration of the technology in 2012 would provide validation and open the door to commercialization.

Lockyer added, "As a prestigious group of broad experts, the Expert Review Panel will be able to identify the best options for the country. We look forward to the opportunity to submit a competitive proposal and we expect other strong proposals to come forward as well."


MEDIA CONTACTS

TRIUMF
Timothy I. Meyer
Head, Strategic Planning and Communications
Tel: 604.222.7674
Cell: 650.464.8955
E-mail: Tim Meyer


FOR EDITORS

TRIUMF is Canada's national laboratory for particle and nuclear physics. Physically located on the south
campus of the University of British Columbia, TRIUMF is owned and operated as a joint venture by a consortium
of the following Canadian universities, via a contribution through National Research Council Canada and
supported by the Province of British Columbia: University of Alberta, University of British Columbia, Carleton
University, University of Manitoba, l'Université de Montréal, Simon Fraser University, University of Toronto,
and University of Victoria. In partnership with MDS Nordion's Vancouver operations, TRIUMF helps produce
2.5 million patient doses of medical isotopes per year using cyclotron particle accelerators. See
http://www.triumf.ca.

 

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