UK nuclear waste to galvanize new cancer treatments

A major British initiative is set to repurpose used nuclear materials, converting them into a consistent supply for innovative cancer treatments. The £9.9 million ($13 million) from the Innovate UK SMMIP, plus £8.9 million from industry, is backing the development of Targeted Alpha Therapies.

The project is jointly led by the United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory (UKNNL) and the Medicines Discovery Catapult (MDC). They are focused on creating precision radiopharmaceuticals that utilize the radionuclide lead-212.

Lead-212 is harvested from recycled nuclear fuel, offering a domestic and sustainable source of the rare isotope. This sovereign supply allows the UK to leverage its nuclear assets, reducing reliance on unstable global supply chains.