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CALGARY – A new cyclotron at Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary has moved to the design and development phase. 

Cyclotrons produce radiopharmaceutical drugs, or radioactive isotopes, used to diagnose and treat many diseases such as cancer, bone disease, stroke, dementia and epilepsy, a release said.

This will be Calgary’s first cyclotron.

“We are proud to be building a new radiopharmaceutical centre in Calgary. Adding a third cyclotron to the province will mean faster testing and treatment for southern Albertans and will provide valuable support for the new Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre scheduled to open later this year,” Alberta Minister of Infrastructure Pete Guthrie said in a statement.

The 2024 Alberta budget included $48.4 million over three years towards a total investment of $70 million for cyclotron development in Calgary.

The design of the new facility must ensure strict security provisions where radioactive material is used, shielding where radioactive material is stored and radioactive waste must be stored and handled in compliance with all applicable regulations with all regulatory bodies consulted and all permit and licensing requirements met. 

The cyclotron at the new Calgary Radiopharmaceutical Centre will be used to develop Fluorine-18, Carbon-11 and Gallium-68, which are isotopes needed for diagnostic imaging scans used to diagnose various diseases, the release said.

Construction is anticipated to begin in 2025, with substantial completion expected in 2027.

The new facility will meet Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission standards, the release added.