Canada's national nuclear laboratory and leading particle accelerator centre
partner to host global forum on targeted radiopharmaceutical therapy
CHALK RIVER, Ontario and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, 2018-01-29 23:06 CET
(GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), Canada's premier nuclear science and
technology organization, and TRIUMF, one of the world's leading particle
accelerator centres, jointly announced today that they are partnering to
co-host the 11th Targeted-Alpha-Therapy Symposium (TAT11) to be held from April
1 - 5, 2019 at the Fairmont Château Laurier in Ottawa.
TAT11 is a global forum for academic and industry leaders to meet and discuss
the latest technical, regulatory and clinical developments in targeted
radiopharmaceutical therapy. The potential benefits of targeted-alpha-therapy
in the battle against cancer and other diseases are significant. While existing
radiation treatments target all cells in the vicinity of a tumor, both healthy
and cancerous, targeted-alpha-therapy focuses the treatment application to
cancerous or unhealthy cells. This limits the overall radiation dose a patient
may receive, holds promise of better patient outcomes, and encourages a faster
recovery time following treatment.
In addition to a variety of industry and academic speakers and presentations,
the TAT11 conference will feature an exhibition for companies to showcase their
products and services, and will include a tour of the Chalk River Laboratories.
"Targeted-alpha-therapy is one of the most promising areas of nuclear medicine,
and could represent a leap forward in radiation therapy," commented Kathy
McCarthy, Lab Director, CNL. "Given CNL's history as a world-leader in the
development and delivery of medical isotope technology, hosting this important
international conference alongside TRIUMF, a leader in subatomic physics, was a
natural fit. We look forward to welcoming participants from around the globe to
discuss this exciting medical technology."
As part of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited's (AECL) Federal Nuclear S&T Work
Plan, CNL is conducting research to evaluate alpha therapy delivery methods.
This includes the construction of a small alpha radioisotope generator to
provide isotopes for CNL and its collaborators. CNL is also taking the
necessary steps to grow and expand its resources and capabilities to pursue
related research projects, including work alongside TRIUMF.
"Canada has an existing and powerful particle accelerator infrastructure
capable of enabling a greater supply of targeted-alpha-therapy isotopes,"
explains Paul Schaffer, TRIUMF Associate Lab Director - Life Sciences Division.
"It's very fitting to be hosting the next conference here and I am looking
forward to both learning from others and advocating for what Canada can
contribute to this exciting field.
"TRIUMF has established the feasibility of producing important
targeted-alpha-therapy isotopes such as Ac - 225 using its 500 MeV cyclotron;
and is also in the process of upgrading its infrastructure to improve safety
and reliability of large-scale, accelerator-based isotope production," explains
Schaffer.
"Both CNL and TRIUMF are committed to improving the health of Canadians through
nuclear medicine, and TAT11 is an important medium to foster international
partnerships and collaborations that are necessary to advance this therapy,"
added Corey McDaniel, Vice-President, Business Development with CNL. "It is our
hope that this forum will build awareness around alpha therapy and spur further
research to accelerate the development of these isotopes."
For more information on TAT11, including a detailed conference itinerary and
exhibitor information, please visit www.tat11.com.
About CNL
Canadian Nuclear Laboratories is a world leader in nuclear science and
technology offering unique capabilities and solutions across a wide range of
industries. Actively involved with industry-driven research and development in
nuclear, transportation, clean technology, energy, defense, security and life
sciences, we provide solutions to keep these sectors competitive
internationally.
With ongoing investments in new facilities and a focused mandate, Canadian
Nuclear Laboratories is well positioned for the future. A new performance
standard reinforced with a strong safety culture underscores every activity.
For more information on the complete range of Canadian Nuclear Laboratories
services, please visit www.cnl.ca or contact communications@cnl.ca.
About TRIUMF
Established in 1968 in Vancouver, TRIUMF is Canada's particle accelerator
centre. The lab is a hub for discovery and innovation inspired by a
half-century of ingenuity in answering nature's most challenging questions.
Powered by its complement of top talent and accelerator infrastructure -
including the world's largest cyclotron - TRIUMF is driving the leading edges
of advanced isotope science, innovation, and technologies to address
fundamental and applied problems in particle and nuclear physics, and the
materials and life sciences. In collaboration with 20 Canadian universities,
TRIUMF's diverse community of nearly 600 multidisciplinary researchers,
engineers, technicians, tradespeople, staff, and students create a unique
incubator for Canadian excellence, as well as a portal to premier global
collaborations. At TRIUMF, we drive more than scientific discovery -- our
passion for understanding everything from the nature of the nucleus to the
cosmos creates into inspiration, improved health, economic opportunity, and a
better world for all.
For more information see http://www.triumf.ca. Connect on Twitter, Facebook,
and Instagram: TRIUMFlab
Media Contacts:
Patrick Quinn
Director, Corporate Communications
CNL, 1-866-886-2325
communications@cnl.ca
Lisa Lambert
Head, Strategic Communications
TRIUMF, 1-604-222-7356
lisa@triumf.ca© 2018 GlobeNewswire
