NUVIA UK has won a contract with the Welsh Government to prepare the feasibility report for the project ARTHUR (Advanced Radioisotope Technology for Health Utility Reactor), in North Wales.
The new Radioisotope Production Facility would produce medical radioisotopes from its own Research Reactor and supply them to Health Service providers across the UK and internationally.
Radioisotopes, also known as radioactive isotopes, are used extensively in health, industrial and research applications. In nuclear medicine, radioisotopes are selected for their chemical and radioactive properties for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. In both cases, the radioisotope is linked to a chemical compound that has the capacity to bind with a specific target (cancerous cells, organs, etc.). The particle or photon emitted during the radioactive decay is used for locating cancer cells (imaging) or directly destroying them (therapy). Most radioisotopes used in nuclear medicine are produced through irradiation in research reactors.
There is an increasing worldwide demand for medical radioisotopes, to meet the cancer diagnostic and therapeutic treatment needs of health service providers, across the UK and internationally. The recent major breakthroughs in nuclear medicine are offering new opportunities for cancer treatment. ARTHUR will significantly enhance the UK’s ability to meet this increasing demand.
The feasibility report is the first step in realising the Welsh Government’s ambition to design, build and operate a facility that will support the UK’s strategy for advanced nuclear medicine.
NUVIA UK has assembled a core team of technical experts that brings together UK and international expertise in the design, planning, licencing, and environmental aspects of research reactors and other nuclear facilities. NUVIA’s team includes NucAdvisor (a sister NUVIA company, part of VINCI), who are specialists in research reactor technology and medical radioisotopes supply, and Hydrock who bring a track record of using innovative and sustainable approaches in nuclear, energy and healthcare markets. The study will explore what is required to achieve a safe, reliable, and cost-effective solution that will meet the growing demands for nuclear medicine in the UK.
NUVIA UK is thrilled to have been awarded this prestigious contract working with the Welsh Government to realise these advances for the good of the whole of the UK.
The creation of a UK radioisotope production facility will:
- enable the delivery of the NHS Long-term Plan to significantly increase the number of diagnostic scans, with correspondingly better patient outcomes
- support the levelling up agenda by creating STEM jobs in deprived areas within the UK
- reposition the UK’s nuclear medicine capability
Tom Jones, CEO NUVIA UK, said:
“The launch of this feasibility study is the first step in re-establishing the UK’s nuclear medical radioisotope production. Global demand is forecast to more than double over the next ten years. The UK has a unique window of opportunity to help meet the increases in both domestic and international demand. We look forward to working with Welsh Government on delivering this exciting technology, which will bring jobs and investment to Wales.”
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Paula Quinn Head of Talent Development & Communications
Tel: +44 (0)1235 514883; Mob: +44(0)7968 707302; [email protected]
Notes to Editors
NUVIA Group is an international nuclear engineering, project management, products and services contractor. It employs circa 3000 staff globally, generating annual sales of over £310M.
NUVIA is the nuclear division of Soletanche Freyssinet, a world leader in specialised civil and geotechnical engineering, and a wholly owned subsidiary of VINCI, the world’s largest integrated concessions and construction group.
NucAdvisor is a nuclear consulting company that provides support to clients worldwide in the fields of Nuclear Market, Research and Technologies, Economics, Safety, Regulations, Industrial and Medical Nuclear Applications, as well as Environment and Siting. NucAdvisor has been specifically supporting new build research reactor projects since 2012 through owner-engineer services and technical support to public and private stakeholders.
Hydrock is a leading British-owned engineering design, energy, and sustainability consultancy with over 850 technical staff. Hydrock brings sustainable solutions to major infrastructure projects and landmark buildings and a purpose to be to be a force for good, shaping places, communities, and infrastructure that everyone can be proud of.
Hydrock nuclear specialists provide a wide range of expert nuclear management and technical consultancy services to the nuclear industry, including oversight and production of nuclear safety cases, guidance on policy changes, organisational capability advice, environmental support, development of permitting and licensing strategies, undertaking independent peer reviews and developing radioactive waste management and decommissioning strategies.