Calgary’s first cyclotron to expand access to advanced diagnostic imaging and cancer care

A $71-million investment in Calgary’s new Radiopharmaceutical Centre will bring southern Alberta its first cyclotron, expanding access to specialized diagnostic imaging and supporting new cancer treatments.

Southern Albertans are set to gain greater access to advanced diagnostic imaging and specialized treatments with the development of Calgary’s first cyclotron facility.

The Calgary Radiopharmaceutical Centre is being built at the Foothills Medical Centre and will house Calgary’s first cyclotron and Alberta’s third. The facility is intended to strengthen the supply of radiopharmaceuticals used in diagnostic imaging and treatments for cancer, cardiac and neurological conditions.

The project is supported by a combined $71-million investment from the Alberta government and donors. The province is providing $64 million over three years toward completion of the centre, while the Alberta Cancer Foundation is contributing an additional $7 million for specialized equipment and research laboratories, with support from donors.

Bringing production closer to patients

Cyclotrons produce radioactive isotopes that can be incorporated into radiopharmaceuticals used for medical imaging and treatment.

At present, Alberta’s two existing cyclotrons are located in Edmonton – one at the University of Alberta’s South Campus and another at the Cross Cancer Institute. The new Calgary facility will add capacity and provide a more local source of radiopharmaceuticals for patients in southern Alberta.

Location is particularly important because some radioisotopes decay quickly after they are produced. Producing them in Calgary rather than transporting all supplies from Edmonton is expected to reduce transportation time and strengthen the reliability of supply for southern Alberta.

The Calgary cyclotron is expected to produce isotopes including fluorine-18, carbon-11 and gallium-68. These can be used in diagnostic imaging, including PET and SPECT scans, to support the diagnosis and treatment of cancer as well as cardiac and neurological conditions.

Preparing for growing imaging demand

The investment comes as Alberta anticipates significant growth in demand for advanced diagnostic imaging. Demand for PET scans is expected to more than triple by 2040, according to information released about the project. The new centre is expected to more than triple Alberta’s capacity to produce medicines for PET scans and almost double production capacity supporting SPECT imaging. Medicine Hat News

Beyond clinical care, the centre is also expected to support research and clinical trials and the development of new radiopharmaceuticals, potentially giving patients access to emerging diagnostic and treatment options.

Construction of the Calgary Radiopharmaceutical Centre is underway at the Foothills Medical Centre campus, near the Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre and University of Calgary Foothills Campus. Alberta.ca

Once operational, the centre will provide another link in Alberta’s radiopharmaceutical supply network while expanding specialized imaging capacity for patients across southern Alberta.

Source: Government of Alberta / Alberta Health Services

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