Waste uranium is set to be used in cutting-edge therapies
Tens of thousands of doses of cutting-edge cancer treatments are set to be produced each year from reprocessed nuclear material under a landmark agreement between a British biotech firm and the UK’s nuclear authorities, the government has said.
The deal will see Cambridge-based Bicycle Therapeutics work with the UK Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) to extract a rare medical isotope from hundreds of tonnes of reprocessed uranium generated during historic nuclear fuel processing.
The isotope, lead-212, is used in radiopharmaceuticals that can precisely target and destroy cancer cells while limiting damage to healthy tissue.
Bicycle Therapeutics, which was co-founded by Nobel Prize-winning scientist Sir Greg Winter, will use a pioneering technique developed by the United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory (UKNNL).
The process harvests minute quantities of lead-212 from its parent material within reprocessed uranium.
Even vanishingly small amounts can yield powerful cancer therapies, potentially transforming treatment for cancers that are difficult to tackle with conventional methods, including prostate and neuroendocrine cancers, experts say.
Access to up to 400 tonnes of reprocessed uranium
Under the agreement, the NDA will provide Bicycle with access to up to 400 tonnes of reprocessed uranium over the next 15 years.
As the material continually regenerates the isotopes required, it could provide an enduring supply capable of supporting tens of thousands of treatment doses annually.
Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall described the partnership as a striking example of British innovation.
Sounds like science fiction
“Turning nuclear material into cutting-edge cancer treatments sounds like science fiction, but thanks to the brilliance of scientists, researchers and doctors, it could be a life-saving reality,” she said.
“This unique partnership could help take breakthroughs in cancer care even further.”
Bicycle Therapeutics’ chief executive, Kevin Lee, said the agreement marked a major milestone for the company.
“We are incredibly grateful to the UK Government for their recognition of Bicycle’s Nobel-prize winning science and its potential to create radiopharmaceutical cancer therapies from up to 400 tonnes of reprocessed uranium,” he said.
“This brings us closer to our goal of helping patients live longer and live well.”
Bold thinking
Health Innovation Minister Dr Zubir Ahmed said the project demonstrated “exactly the kind of bold thinking” needed to modernise the NHS, adding that it showed how life sciences innovation could save lives while driving economic growth.
UKNNL chief executive Julianne Antrobus said: “Our purpose is nuclear science to benefit society, and this partnership is a perfect example of that in action.”
NDA Group CEO David Peattie added: “By making part of our uranium inventory available, we’re helping to enable innovative, life-saving treatments and create a lasting positive legacy for the nation,” he said.
The agreement builds on wider government efforts to improve cancer outcomes across the NHS and follows recent funding for further research into lead-212 extraction, as well as renewed backing for nuclear innovation across the UK.
