Cyclotron and processing facility
Cyclotron and processing facility
Background
Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) Health Services’ cyclotron is located at the Nuclear and Molecular Medicine facility (Health Sciences Centre). Production of 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose, commonly referred to as FDG, began at the Health Sciences Centre in November 2020. The product FDG is used in positron emission tomography, commonly known as PET scans. To learn more about PET scans, including frequently asked questions, please visit the PET Scan webpage.
The radiopharmaceutical sciences (RPS) team is responsible for manufacturing medical isotopes and radiopharmaceuticals through the use of a cyclotron (particle accelerator).
NL Health Services holds a Class II license for the operation of the cyclotron, issued by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC).
Cyclotron commissioning
NL Health Services follows the safety guidelines issued by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission to ensure that all individuals are kept safe during all facility operations. The two principal federal regulatory agencies involved are the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CSNC) and Health Canada.
In August 2020, Eastern Health completed commissioning of the cyclotron particle accelerator and its first medical radiopharmaceutical, FDG. This milestone marked the beginning of the facility’s ability to produce radiopharmaceuticals for use in medicine and research.
Facility updates
RPS performed its first clinical preparation of 68Ga-Gozetotide on February 19, 2025. 68Ga-Gozetotide is prepared on-site using a Locametz kit and is used for prostate cancer imaging. This success marks the third radiopharmaceutical being produced or prepared at the cyclotron and processing facility. 18F-FDG is produced on-site using the cyclotron, while 68Ga-Dotatate and 68Ga-Gozetotide is prepared on-site using Health Canada approved kits and generator.
December 16, 2024: RPS achieved its 600th clinical production of 18F-FDG, with approximately 7,250 patients receiving the locally produced radiopharmaceutical for their PET/CT scan. The 600th production of 18F-FDG is another major step towards a more reliable PET service for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.
January 10, 2025: RPS achieved its 150th clinical preparation of Gallium Dotatate (68Ga-Dotatate) with approximately 350 patients receiving this locally prepared radiopharmaceutical in PET scans performed for the diagnosis and management of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Patients across the province can benefit from receiving this type of PET scan at the Nuclear and Molecular Medicine facility.
Inspection update (April 22, 2025): The cyclotron and processing facility was inspected by regulatory authorities (type 1 inspection) from September 18 to October 4, 2024. Ten non-compliance items were identified during this time, none of which had any impacts to the environment or safety concerns for the public. Seven of these items have since been closed, as per the CNSC requirements and work continues to resolve the outstanding items.
Contact information
Email: cyclotron.safety@nlhealthservices.ca
Public disclosure protocol
The following items are communicated via the public disclosure protocol:
- Radiopharmaceutical Sciences Radiation Safety Public Disclosure Program Report and Annual Radiation Safety Public Disclosure Report Summary;
- items of concern (e.g.: impact of natural events, unplanned significant interruptions of facility operations); and
- licensing information.
Reports
For a list of previous reports, please visit the Archives page.
Additional information
Routine preventative maintenance:
The cyclotron, which produces radiotracers for PET-CT procedures, receives routine preventative maintenance twice annually to ensure safe and effective operations. This maintenance is scheduled months in advance to minimize the impact to the clinical program.
In 2024, routine maintenance occurred during the following dates:
- February 12 to February 25, 2024
- July 8 to July 21, 2024
Loss of utility:
The Nuclear and Molecular Medicine facility experienced a loss of utility on the following date in 2024:
- Wednesday, September 11, 2024
There were no impacts to the environment, or safety concerns associated with this loss of utility occurrence.
Note: As of April 1, 2023, all regional health authorities and the Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Health Information are transitioning to NL Health Services. The terms ‘Eastern Health,’ ‘NL Health Services,’ ‘Eastern Zones,’ and ‘Eastern Urban and Eastern Rural’ zones may be used interchangeably during the transition period.