The Ontario government is welcoming a $500,000 donation from Laurentis Energy Partners, a subsidiary of Ontario Power Generation, to help establish the Silber Family Theranostics Centre at the University Health Network’s Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto.
Opening in 2027, the centre will use Ontario-made nuclear isotopes to advance cancer care by combining state-of-the-art imaging with targeted radiation therapies. The facility is expected to serve more than 3,550 patients by 2028, delivering faster diagnoses and more precise treatments for complex cancers.
Theranostics is an emerging approach to medicine that relies on isotopes such as lutetium-177, yttrium-90 and molybdenum-99 to both detect and treat disease. Ontario officials say the donation will accelerate access to therapies that are already showing strong results in pilot treatments at Princess Margaret, where more than 180 patients have benefited from radiopharmaceuticals using Lu-177.
“Ontario’s nuclear advantage is saving lives,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines. “We’re harnessing the power of made-in-Ontario isotopes to fuel next generation cancer care-giving patients more hope, delivering faster diagnoses and providing more effective treatments.”
Ontario is a global leader in medical isotope production, which supports 8,500 Canadian jobs and saves lives worldwide. With refurbishments underway at major nuclear stations and construction of a new small modular reactor at Darlington, the province aims to double isotope production within four years.
The government says the new centre is part of its plan to protect Ontario by expanding access to advanced cancer care while strengthening the province’s life sciences sector and economy.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)