Cyclotron & PET Radiochemistry

Overview

The Nordal Cyclotron & PET Radiochemistry Facility is used to produce positron-emitting radiopharmaceuticals (PERs). PERs are injected into patients undergoing a positron emission tomography (PET) scan. The half-life of the radioactive isotopes in PERs is short, which necessitates generating them with a cyclotron that is in close proximity to the clinic where they are used.

About

Lawson Health Research Institute’s (Lawson) Nordal Cyclotron & PET Radiochemistry facility produces short-lived PERs for the St. Joseph’s Health Care London PET scanners, and will eventually be the centre of a regional distribution network for PERs.

In combination with PET/CT, PET/MRI and preclinical PET imaging scanners, the facility is available to support a wide variety of city-wide research projects including PET imaging applied to oncology, cardiology, neurology, psychology, bioelectromagnetics and other areas.

Equipment Capabilities

GE PETtrace 880 cyclotron
Comecer hotcells (7) with 11 chambers
GE Fastlab synthesizer (2)
GE Tracer labs (3)
TRIUMF high power solid target station
Ga-68 Generator and Modular Lab system
Class 10,000 clean room
QC lab with GMP testing equipment
Production lab
Research labs (2)
Space for expansion

Currently Seeking

Contract Research
Long Term Partnership with Industry
Clinical Trials
Radiopharmaceutical Production

Future Directions

Develop new probes for PET or SPECT imaging of biomarkers, focusing on cancer, diabetes, heart disease and mental illnesses.
Synthesize Positron Emitting Radiopharmaceuticals (PERs), optimize their chemistry, and prepare them to GMP specifications for use in humans.
Validate probes via in vitro experiments and Lawson’s small animal microPET and microSPECT scanners.
Verify with large animal imaging on a clinical PET/CT, SPECT/CT or PET/MRI scanner.
Conduct clinical trials to help translate into clinical practice.

Partners

St. Joseph’s Health Care London
Western University
Canada Foundation of Innovation
Ontario Research Fund

Cyclotron & PET Radiochemistry Facility Public Disclosure

The Lawson Cyclotron & PET Radiochemistry Facility operates under an operating license issued by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. Ongoing communication with our community is a key part of our operation. The facility uses a public disclosure protocol to relate information to the public on the issues relevant to licensed activities in the facility, including health and safety, security, and operational updates.

cyclotron-pidp-2021.pdf

Download the Public Information and Disclosure Protocol