Every year, tens of thousands of cancer patients receive life-saving treatments thanks to medical isotopes produced in Hamilton. At the heart of this global supply chain is McMaster University - a research power-house whose nuclear infrastructure is transforming Canada's radiopharmaceutical future.

This leadership is anchored by McMaster's world-class facilities, including the McMaster Nuclear Reactor (MNR) - Canada's most powerful research reactor and the only one housed at a university. More than a scientific asset, the MNR is a catalyst for economic development, medical innovation, and international competitiveness. It anchors a growing radiopharmaceutical hub in Hamilton, positioning Canada to lead in a market projected to reach $33 billion USD by 2030.

This emerging hub - complemented by Hamilton's dynamic health care system, including Hamilton Health Sciences and St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton - is the result of a deliberate strategy rooted in interdisciplinary collaboration.

McMaster brings together engineering, health sciences, and materials science to advance nuclear research with real-world applications. These span the development of new materials, clean technologies, and medical discoveries - from cancer therapies to diagnostic tools. The university's approach reflects a broader vision for Canadian research - one that is mission-driven, responsive to societal needs, and capable of bridging the gap between discovery and impact.

The radiopharmaceutical sector exemplifies this vision. McMaster produces enough medical isotopes to treat more than 70,000 cancer patients worldwide annually, including 60 percent of the global supply of iodine-125. But the university's ambitions go further. With recent provincial investments enabling round-the-clock reactor operations, McMaster is scaling its capacity to develop targeted therapies and expand production of life-saving treatments.

This expansion builds on a robust ecosystem anchored by the nuclear-enabled McMaster Innovation Park. It's home to the Centre for Probe Development and Commercialization (CPDC) and Fusion Pharmaceuticals - both founded by former

McMaster professor John Valliant. In 2024, Fusion was acquired by Astra-Zeneca for $2.4 billion USD, reinforcing Hamilton's status as a destination for radiopharmaceutical innovation.

Increasing the region's capacity to scale and distribute nuclear medicine is AtomVie Global Radiopharma, a Contract Development & Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) specializing in clinical-grade radiopharmaceuticals. Atomvie will move from its current location at

McMaster University to a 72,000 state-of-the-art facility near the Hamilton airport.

Yet infrastructure and investment alone are not enough. The future of Canada's nuclear medicine sector - and its broader innovation economy - depends on talent.

McMaster is addressing this challenge head-on, expanding enrolment and launching initiatives to train the next generation of nuclear scientists, engineers, and policy leaders. Faculty, students, and professional staff are actively engaged in pioneering research, regulatory development, and global collaborations, ensuring Canada has the expertise needed to sustain and grow this vital sector.

Add to that, McMaster's established reputation as a trusted partner to both industry and government. It's at this intersection that the full potential of mission-driven research is realized - advancing innovation, informing policy, and improving lives.

As Canada looks to close its innovation gap, universities must be empowered to lead - asking big questions, taking calculated risks, and pursuing outcomes measured not just in publications, but in societal impact. McMaster's radiopharmaceutical hub proves that when universities are given the tools and trust to lead, they deliver transformative results.

Canada now has a unique opportunity to demonstrate its leadership in radiopharmaceuticals, and McMaster - with its world-class infrastructure, talent, and track record of innovation - is poised to be Canada's nuclear advantage.