Nuclear Medicine and Isotopes

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A worker in protective clothing works on nuclear isotope harvesting.

Laurentis is a vital partner in the production of various isotopes for Ontario and the world.

Molybdenum-99 (Mo-99)

The Molybdenum-99 radioisotope is considered the gold standard diagnostic test for many conditions as its decay product, Technetium-99m (Tc-99m), is long enough to complete medical examinations and procedures, and short enough to not cause harm to human organs.

Tc-99m is used in over 30 million medical treatments around the world each year, helping to detect illnesses like cancer and heart disease.

Laurentis is working with BWXT to harvest Mo-99 from Ontario Power Generation's Darlington Nuclear Generating Station. This will make Darlington the first commercial-scale reactor in North America to produce Moly-99, ensuring a stable domestic supply of this critical product.

Once irradiated and extracted from the Darlington reactor and pending regulatory approvals, BWXT Medical will process the Mo-99 using its proprietary technology to supply its patent-pending Tc-99m generators.

In Nov. 2021, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission approved an amendment to Darlington's operating licence, to enable the production of Mo-99. To learn more, click here.

Helium-3 (He-3)

Helium-3 is a rare isotope, used in quantum computing, neutron research, border security and medical imaging.

In September 2021, Laurentis announced its program to produce He-3. Laurentis obtains the He-3 from tritium stored at the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station, about 100 kilometres east of Toronto. The tritium is removed from heavy water in the CANDU station, owned and operated by Ontario Power Generation (OPG), the parent company of Laurentis.

A stable (non-radioactive) and inert gas, the He-3 will be extracted using a new custom-designed tool, which Laurentis installed and commissioned at Darlington.

Laurentis signed a long-term commercial agreement with Air Liquide for the distribution of He-3. As an expert in gas management and extreme cryogenics, Air Liquide will further purify the He-3 before packaging and distributing it to its clients around the world in health care, security and advanced research. The first commercial shipment of He-3 was sent to Air Liquide in December 2021.

Heavy Water (D20)

D20 is used for medical research and to identify compounds using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy. It also helps pharmaceuticals to last longer in the bloodstream and can be used in next-generation electronics.

In September 2020, Laurentis announced a collaboration agreement with BWXT Canada Ltd. (BWXT), through Ontario Power Generation's (OPG) Centre for Canadian Nuclear Sustainability (CCNS), to develop technology that will assist in the recycling of heavy water at OPG's nuclear facilities.

The project between Laurentis and BWXT will develop new technology to recycle heavy water used to cool Canadian pressurized heavy-water reactors such as those in OPG's Pickering and Darlington Nuclear Generating Stations. Once recycled, the heavy water will be utilized in a growing number of non-nuclear applications that include pharmaceuticals, medical diagnostics and next generation electronics including fibre optics.

Laurentis is helping meet global demands...

Laurentis is now able to adjust its planned He-3 production to support industries impacted by global supply shortages.

Media Releases

Laurentis Energy Partners launches Heliu...

Laurentis Energy Partners today announced a new program to produce Helium-3 (He-3), a rare isotope used in quantum computing, neutron research, border...

A group of employees stand in front of a table wearing masks.

Media Releases

OPG and BWXT make significant progress t...

Mo-99 is a much-needed medical isotope used in over 40 million procedures a year to detect cancers and diagnose various medical conditions.

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