The Canadian Medical Isotope Ecosystem (CMIE) has announced Promation as a funding recipient through their third call for proposals under the CMIE Development Fund (CMIEDF).
The funded program, Scale-67, is a collaboration between Promation, Astral Systems, and McMaster University. The program will receive $500,000 in CMIE funding, made possible through support from the Government of Canada’s Strategic Response Fund (SRF).
Scale‑67 is focused on establishing a proof‑of‑concept approach for scalable, commercially viable Canadian production of Copper‑67 (Cu‑67), a highly promising medical isotope used in targeted cancer therapies and clinical research. While global demand for high‑activity, high‑purity Cu‑67 continues to grow, limited production capacity has constrained its broader clinical use worldwide.
Through this project, Promation, McMaster University, and Astral Systems will develop a fusion reaction‑based production process capable of delivering significantly higher yields of Cu‑67, supported by novel automated and scalable equipment for commercialization. By addressing a global supply gap, Scale‑67 strengthens Canada’s domestic isotope supply and builds new capabilities to support development of new theranostics and commercialization in international markets.
“Ensuring access to innovative medical isotopes like Cu‑67 is essential to advancing next‑generation cancer therapies.” said Holly Bilton, Executive Chair, CMIE. “Through the Scale‑67 project, the CMIE is supporting a collaborative, made‑in‑Canada approach that addresses a global supply challenge while building scalable production capability and long‑term expertise within the Canadian medical isotope ecosystem.”
Support from CMIE will empower the partnership between Promation, Astral Systems, and McMaster University to develop a clear pathway to commercialization for Astral Systems’ novel fusion‑based isotope production technology. The outcomes of this project have the potential to revolutionize the production of life‑saving diagnostic and therapeutic isotopes across Canada and around the world.
“This project represents an important step forward in demonstrating the potential of fusion-based approaches to the scalable production of Cu-67. Working alongside Promation, McMaster University and CMIE, we are bringing together complementary expertise to address one of the key bottlenecks in expanding access to next-generation medical isotopes. It is exactly this kind of collaborative, high-calibre programme that is required to translate advanced nuclear science into real-world clinical and industrial impact,” says Talmon Firestone (CEO, Astral Systems).
Over the next few weeks, the CMIE will highlight each funded program and its impact, showcasing the partnerships and innovations contributing to a secure domestic supply of medical isotopes and reinforcing Canada’s leadership in this rapidly advancing field.
About Promation
Promation is a Canadian company headquartered in Oakville, Ontario with a strong history of supporting the Canadian and global Automotive, Nuclear, and Radiopharmaceutical industries. Promation has become a champion in the design, manufacture, and supply of equipment and automation solutions for the rapidly growing radiopharmaceutical industry. Promation leverages decades of experience in automotive automation, nuclear power generation and life sciences to bring a safety minded approach to regulatory diligence, design, and manufacturing, for the radio pharmaceutical industry.
About Astral Systems
Astral Systems is a Bristol-based deep tech company developing multi-state fusion technology for nuclear applications, including the production of medical isotopes. Founded in 2021, the company is led by co-founders Talmon Firestone and Dr. Tom Wallace-Smith.
About McMaster University
Located in Hamilton, Ontario, McMaster University is among Canada’s most research-intensive universities, and the nation’s preeminent academic nuclear research institution. The McMaster campus houses a unique suite of world class nuclear research facilities anchored by the McMaster Nuclear Reactor – a multi-purpose research reactor that provides neutrons for medical isotope production and scientific research. McMaster University’s nuclear research facilities enable discoveries in medicine, clean energy, nuclear safety, materials and environmental science, while providing cancer treatments for more than 70,000 patients every year.
About the CMIE
CMIE is an initiative created to accelerate R&D investment, collaboration, technology adoption and training to enable Canada to lead in the innovation of medical isotopes. Through a unique combination of co-investment, cross-industry collaboration, and IP development, we are building a strong medical isotope innovation ecosystem.
We bring together a community of Canadians from industry, academia, and government to advance medical isotopes. Learn more at cmie.ca.