On September 1, the Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council (CNIC) was pleased to join leaders from across Canada’s isotope and radiopharmaceutical supply chain in Lachine, Québec, for the inauguration of ISOLOGIC’s expanded production facility.
ISOLOGIC Innovative Radiopharmaceuticals (ISOLOGIC) is a leading radiopharmaceutical supplier specializing in cyclotron-based production of several critical radioisotopes, including fluorine-18 (F-18). ISOLOGIC’s $30 million (CAD) investment in its Lachine facility marks a significant moment for the company and for Canada’s isotope ecosystem more broadly.
At the heart of the expanded facility is a new 18 MeV cyclotron that will produce F-18 to support diagnostic scans for patients across the country. The cyclotron, manufactured by Belgian company Ion Beam Applications (IBA), can also support the production of other isotopes, providing ISOLOGIC with greater flexibility as the Canadian radiopharmaceutical market continues to evolve.
In addition to the new cyclotron, upgrades at the Lachine facility include automated production systems, 17 new hot cells for on-site processing of radiopharmaceuticals, and advanced tracking technologies to ensure that doses arrive safely and on time at hospitals.
ISOLOGIC already supplies radiopharmaceuticals to nearly 230 hospitals and healthcare institutions across the country, contributing to the diagnosis and treatment of more than 650,000 Canadian patients annually. The new investment in the Lachine facility will help expand this work, ensuring that patients across the country have reliable access to the highest quality of care when they need it most.
At the inauguration event, the significance of this milestone was evident. Elected officials, healthcare leaders, and representatives from organizations across the country came together to celebrate this exciting milestone for ISOLOGIC and Canada.
What stood out about this new facility was the level of care and expertise involved in every stage of production. Throughout the facility, ISOLOGIC staff showcased the role they play in supporting day-to-day operations, the radiation safety and quality control measures taken to ensure workers and patients always remain safe, and the critical, just-in-time nature of delivering doses to patients when they need it most.
That expertise was matched by the passion of the ISOLOGIC team, with staff across departments excited to highlight the new investments and the difference they will make for the organization and patients alike. The expertise of ISOLOGIC’s hot cell staff, built through years of training, became particularly evident when the CNIC’s Manager of Public Affairs and Communications, Evan Cameron, had the chance to try out one of the newly installed hot-cell units during a demonstration (pictured at left). The precision required to operate the hot cell’s manipulator arms underscored why such extensive training is essential for this important work.
Thank you to the team at ISOLOGIC for inviting the CNIC to attend this exciting opening event, and for the important role they play in strengthening Canada’s isotope supply chain, providing hope to patients from coast to coast.
To learn more about ISOLOGIC Innovative Radiopharmaceuticals, visit https://isologicradiopharm.ca/en/