SASKATOON – The University of Saskatchewan and the Sylvia Fedoruk Canadian Centre for Nuclear Innovation marked a major achievement for nuclear medicine research in the province with completion of construction on campus of the Saskatchewan Centre for Cyclotron Sciences.
Construction of the $25-million facility, funded by the Government of Saskatchewan and the Harper Government, began in August, 2013.
At the heart of the new centre is a state-of-the-art TR24 cyclotron, a Canadian-built particle accelerator that produces radioisotopes for medical and biological research and for use in PET-CT (Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography) scanners to diagnose diseases such as cancer. The radioisotopes will be processed on-site in a specialized pharmaceutical laboratory.
Owned by the U of S and operated by the Fedoruk Centre, the centre will produce medical radioisotopes for the PET-CT scanner at Royal University Hospital. It will also supply radioisotopes for development of radiopharmaceuticals—drug molecules containing radioactive isotopes—that researchers will use to develop new ways of diagnosing and treating conditions, ranging from cancers in humans and animals, to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, and multiple sclerosis. Radioisotope-labelled agents can also be used to study and image plant growth and development.
Work now gets underway on the commissioning of the facility to ensure it meets the regulatory requirements of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and Health Canada. It is anticipated that the first radioisotopes for research use will be produced in spring 2015, with the first commercial radioisotopes for medical care in late 2016.
Quotes:
“Our Government recognizes the importance of innovation to the economy. We are proud to have supported the cyclotron which will provide new economic opportunities and contribute to the creation of jobs, growth and long-term prosperity here in Saskatchewan.”
- Brad Trost, Member of Parliament for Saskatoon-Humboldt, on behalf of the Honourable Michelle Rempel, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification
“The end of construction is an important milestone in the development of the Saskatchewan Centre for Cyclotron Sciences. It will serve as a resource for the healthcare of Saskatchewan people and be a strong driver for nuclear innovation, both in the province and beyond.”
- The Honourable Jeremy Harrison, Saskatchewan Minister Responsible for Innovation
“This new cyclotron sciences centre builds upon the university’s pioneering work in nuclear medicine and accelerator technology, complements the new isotope production and imaging facilities at the Canadian Light Source on campus, and will position the province as a leader in nuclear medicine research and training.”
- Dr. Karen Chad, Vice-President Research, University of Saskatchewan
“Following on the heels of the announcement of the Fedoruk Centre’s support for the development of the province’s nuclear imaging research community, the completion of construction of the Saskatchewan Centre for Cyclotron Sciences is another major step along the road to Saskatchewan becoming a global leader in nuclear medicine.”
- Dr. Neil Alexander, Executive Director, Fedoruk Centre
