WINNIPEG, MB – The University of Winnipeg and Prairie Isotope Production Enterprise (PIPE) welcome the investments in isotope research announced in yesterday’s federal budget.
Optimize the use of Medical Isotopes
Budget 2010 provides $48 million over two years for research, development and application of medical isotopes. That includes $35 million for Natural Resources Canada to support research on new forms of isotope production and $10 million for the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) to develop a clinical trials network to help move research on isotopes and imaging technologies into clinical practice. This also includes $3 million for Health Canada on projects to “optimize the use of medical isotopes in the health system.”
Crucial Tool
“PIPE is thrilled about the investment in isotope research,” said David Walker, Chair of PIPE. “We applaud the federal government for its leadership and we look forward to working with federal agencies in developing the needed medical isotopes that are a crucial tool used in tests to detect cancers and heart illnesses. This investment will directly benefit the Canadian Health care system and will help Canada lead the world in this critical technology.”
PIPE was created in 2009 as a vehicle for submitting a proposal to Ottawa’s newly created isotope expert panel. The key players are the University of Winnipeg, Acsion Industries of Pinawa, and the nuclear medicine department of Winnipeg’s largest hospital, the Health Sciences Centre. PIPE’s key objective is to have the isotope Molybdenum-99 produced in Manitoba, using commercially available equipment and processes whenever possible, and to supply this product to customers across Western Canada. Production will be done using an electron accelerator as opposed to the conventional method, which relies on a nuclear reactor.
Catalyst for Innovation
“This is a much needed catalyst for innovation and is particularly appreciated in this time of fiscal and economic challenges,” said Dr. Jeff Martin, University of Winnipeg physicist and a lead member of the PIPE team. “We are confident that our made-in-Manitoba proposal will be viewed positively by the federal government as it makes decisions on this important program. Our proposal to use an electron accelerator can be ready to produce isotopes relatively quickly, and does not rely on highly enriched uranium. It will diversify the present supply of isotopes considerably, leading to greater stability and security of supply.”
