Isotopes

Next-Generation Technology: The Eden Medical Isotope Reactor

Cross River Infrastructure Partners is collaborating with Eden Radioisotopes to introduce a dedicated medical isotope reactor to the Maritimes. Unlike traditional multipurpose research reactors, the Eden reactor is optimized exclusively for medical isotope production—making it safer, smaller, and more efficient.

Key features of the Eden reactor:

• Non-power, non-weapons reactor: Designed solely for isotope generation, with no electricity or weapons-grade byproducts.

• Compact, high-output design: Delivers reliable isotope production with a simplified, inherently safe reactor architecture.

• Modular, modern facility support: Paired with a state-of-the-art processing and packaging facility, enabling streamlined supply to hospitals and pharmaceutical companies.

What Are Medical Radioisotopes?

Medical radioisotopes are radioactive forms of chemical elements used widely in modern medicine for diagnosis, treatment, and research. Every year, millions of patients rely on nuclear medicine procedures to detect diseases like cancer, heart disease, and neurological disorders—or to receive targeted radiotherapy treatments.

Key uses of medical isotopes include:

• Diagnostic Imaging: Molybdenum-99/Technetium-99m, the most widely used isotope globally, enables non-invasive scans of the heart, bones, and organs.

• Cancer Therapy: Isotopes such as Iodine-131 and Lutetium-177 are used to target and destroy cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue.

• Emerging Applications: Research continues into using radioisotopes for personalized medicine, radiopharmaceutical development, and theranostics—combining diagnostics and therapy into a single treatment.

Did you know? More than 40 million nuclear medicine procedures are performed globally each year, with demand rising steadily as healthcare systems expand.