Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council outlines ambitious vision to double Canada’s isotope production by 2030

Toronto – March 29, 2023 – The Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council (CNIC) launched its new Isotopes for Hope campaign at the Empire Club of Canada with the goal of asserting and expanding Canada’s Global leadership isotope in the development, supply and use of medical isotopes with the ambitious vision of doubling production by 2030 and expanding critical development of isotopes.

“CNIC members across the country have demonstrated Canada’s unique capability to provide leadership in the fight against cancer and advancing modern medicine on a global scale,” said James Scongack, Chair of the Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council. “Already recognized internationally for over fifty years as a global leader, Canada’s research and production infrastructure, along with deep expertise in isotope technologies place us at a critical juncture to expand our role with the global demand for isotopes doubling by 2030.”

From treating illnesses like cancer, to diagnosing and assessing diseases, to sterilizing single-use medical equipment, isotopes save patient lives every day and nuclear medicine offers patients a new sense of hope. The Isotopes for Hope campaign centres around the central goal of raising awareness for the pivotal role that isotopes play in modern medicine as well as the significant opportunities available for Canada to act as a global leader in the fight against cancer.

In conjunction with the launch of the campaign, the CNIC is also proud to release its newest report, “Isotopes for Hope: Canadian Leadership Needed Now More Than Ever.” The report offers updated market figures and emerging trends for isotopes, opportunities for Canada in the global market, and new recommendations for government to best support the growing industry. The report can be viewed here.

“To foster this growth, Canada must establish the supports needed by providing coordination, funding innovation, and encouraging investment to best help Canadian patients in the coming years,” added Scongack.

To solidify Canada’s leadership, the isotope industry requires a focused strategy that establishes the regulatory, financial, and logistical supports needed to encourage investment and innovation. To facilitate this, the report contains several key recommendations to further unleash this potential. The market data included in this report can be accredited to MEDraysintell Nuclear Medicine (part 1) – Marketed Radiopharmaceuticals – Edition 2021, www.medraysintell.com.

The report reinforces the global market for nuclear medicine reached $6 billion US in 2021, despite the global shutdowns and supply chain challenges of the pandemic and will continue to expand quickly to reach between $14 and $33 billion US by 2031. With world-renowned infrastructure and expertise, Canada has the unique capability to build upon its historic leadership within this growing international market to establish itself as an isotope superpower.

The CNIC and its members are prepared to work with governments at all levels to establish the proper support and coordination necessary to maximize the potential of Canada’s isotope industry.

About the Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council
The CNIC is a coalition of science, healthcare and nuclear-sector organizations to ensure Canada remains a world leader in the production of life-saving isotopes by bringing awareness and supporting long-term policies at the domestic and international level that will save countless lives and support health-care innovation for decades to come.

To learn more about the CNIC visit www.CanadianIsotopes.ca and follow us on, FacebookTwitter, and LinkedIn.

For more information, please contact:
Andrew Thiele
Executive Director
Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council
226-930-1869
canadianisotopes@gmail.com