Canadian Radiotheranostics Leaders’ Summit 2024
Canadian Radiotheranostics Leaders’ Summit 2024
Canadian Radiotheranostics Leaders’ Summit 2024
in partnership with
AGENDA
Please note that this agenda is subject to change.
8:00 am
Registration & light breakfast
9:00 am
Dr. Rebecca Wong and Dr. Patrick Veit-Haibach, UHN
9:05 am
James Scongack, CNIC
9:15 am
Francois Benard, BC Cancer
Session Chair: Dr. David Jaffray, MD Anderson Cancer Center
9:40 am
- Wendy Parulekar, Queens University
- Rebecca Wong, UHN
- Stella Koumna, University of Alberta
- Session Chair: Dr. Monika Krzyzanowska, Sunnybrook
Developing a radiopharmaceutical drug and preparing it for a clinical trial in Canada is a multifaceted process that requires careful planning, compliance with regulatory frameworks, robust financing, and the support of various clinical stakeholders. This session will guide participants through the critical steps involved in taking a radiopharmaceutical from the laboratory to clinical trials within the Canadian context, exploring the complexities that stem from Canada’s healthcare system, regulatory framework, and market environment.
Key topics that will be explored:
- Regulatory considerations in Canada
- Financing Drug Development in the Canadian Market
- Clinical Support and Trial Design in Canada
- Manufacturing and Quality Control for Radiopharmaceuticals in Canada
- Post-Trial Considerations and Market Access in Canada
10:20 am
Coffee and Exhibitor break
10:45 am
- Janet Dancey, Canadian Clinical Trials Group
- Session Chair: Dr. Rebecca Wong, UHN
As precision medicine continues to revolutionize cancer treatment, the integration of radiotherapy and theranostics holds immense potential. However, traditional trial designs have often been tumour-specific, creating challenges for the broader application of these innovative approaches. This plenary session will explore the emerging concept of tumour-agnostic radiotheranostic trial designs, which aim to overcome the limitations of traditional, tumour-specific methodologies to develop flexible trial frameworks that aim to accelerate the development of new, personalized radiotherapy treatments for patients with a wide range of cancer types.
Join Dr. Janet Dancey as she explores how tumour-agnostic radiotheranostic trial designs can reshape clinical research, optimize patient outcomes, and facilitate the translation of innovative therapies from the lab to the clinic.
11:10 am
- Christopher Topham, Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists
- Alvina Ng, CAMH
- Chris Horne, Laurentis Energy Partners
- Session Chair: Mike Hamilton, GE Healthcare
Radiotheranostics represent a cutting-edge field that promises to revolutionize cancer treatment by offering targeted, personalized therapies and advanced diagnostic capabilities. However, as this field grows, so does the need for a robust and well-trained workforce capable of supporting it from research and production to clinical patient delivery. In Canada, the successful implementation of radiotheranostics hinges on building a comprehensive, inclusive workforce that can address both the technical and clinical complexities involved in this multidisciplinary approach. This panel will explore strategies to develop and sustain workforce capacity for radiotheranostics, ensuring the right mix of professionals across production, research, imaging, and patient care to deliver high-quality, equitable healthcare.
Key topics that will be explored:
- Training and education in radiotheranostics and nuclear isotopes
- Workforce collaboration across industry and academia to develop a national strategy and overcome execution challenges
- Technology integration and innovation
- Diversity and inclusion in the workforce
11:50 am
Canada has played a key leadership role in establishing the value of medical isotopes and has cemented itself as a global leader in their production, research, and supply. Key infrastructure has been harnessed and developed and an ongoing investment in people and skills has led to Canada developing one of the most sophisticated and supportive medical isotope production ecosystems in the world. The session is designed to highlight different innovative technologies and centres involved in the Canadian and international ecosystem and some challenges/considerations when producing or delivering isotopes and radiopharmaceuticals.
Session Chair: Jacqueline Metzler, Siemens Healthineers
Canada’s role within the global radioisotope production network
Hareesh Viswanathan, Boston Scientific
Journey through the Canadian supply chain – From mining to market
Sabrina Ullah, AtkinsRéalis
Deployment of radiotheranostics in regional health communities
Dr. Jonathan Boekhoud, Thunder Bay Regional Health
Leveraging Canadian cyclotron excellence – Advances in Ac-225 production
Dr. Hua Yang, TRIUMF
12:50 pm
Lunch and Exhibitor break – sponsored by Kinectrics
1:40 pm
The field of radiotheranostics has already revolutionized cancer treatment, but its potential reaches far beyond oncology. Join us as researchers and innovators share their groundbreaking work on the latest applications of radiotheranostics, ranging from new diagnostic techniques to therapies aimed at a variety of diseases.
This session will consist of short, engaging Mini TEDTalk-style presentations that will showcase the intersection of imaging, precision medicine, and radiotherapy, highlighting transformative developments, and the future of personalized treatments. The presentations will focus on how this interdisciplinary field of radiotheranostics is being leveraged through Canadian innovation to improve patient outcomes, broadening the scope of possibility, and opening new doors for treating and diagnosing complex conditions.
Beyond NET and Prostate
Mary Jessel, Telix Pharmaceuticals
Beyond the possibilities: The future role of dosimetry and SPECT in theranostics
Dr. Carlos Uribe
Beyond cancer to neuroinflammation
Dr. Amy Boyle, CAMH
Beyond the current scope of radiotheranostic delivery
Novartis
2:20 pm
- Evelyn Pau, Amplitude Ventures
- Dragos Berbecel, Portland Holdings Inc.
- Adam Shuhendler, University of Ottawa Heart Institute
- Session Chair: Ghadeer Shubassi, AtomVie Global Radiopharma
Welcome to the Canadian Radiotheranostics Dragons’ Den, where innovation meets investment in the rapidly evolving world of targeted therapy.
Due to the transformative potential of nuclear medicine for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases like cancer, the isotope industry is beginning to position itself as the next major investment trend. As the global market for nuclear medicine is expected to grow to nearly $33 billion US in the next decade, there is a significant lucrative outlook for those who capitalize on this emerging opportunity.
The Canadian Radiotheranostics Dragons’ Den is a session that features a panel of leaders within the Canadian life sciences and healthcare investment community who will discuss topics like opportunities for clinical researchers and industry to better engage with the investment community, where investors envision the future of the radiotheranostics space heading, and key growth trends. This session will highlight the power of collaboration between researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors, emphasizing the importance of new, game-changing technologies to market.
2:55 pm
Coffee and Exhibitor break
3:20 pm
Join us for a forward-thinking session that explores the integration of radiotheranostics with the groundbreaking research innovations shaping the future of medicine. As the fields of molecular imaging, targeted therapy, and personalized medicine continue to evolve, the fusion of radiotheranostics with cutting-edge scientific advancements promises to redefine how we approach diagnosis, treatment, and patient care.
In Canada, research is driving the potential of precision medicine, improving therapeutic outcomes, and offering new avenues for treating previously hard-to-target diseases. In this session, leading Canadian experts will highlight important research that is enabling advances in the field of radiotheranostics. Speakers will discuss how radiotheranostics are being enhanced through emerging technologies such as biological and physical targeting and discovery, combination therapies, and the importance of strong pre-clinical research to support innovation.
Session Chair: Dr. David Jaffray, MD Anderson Cancer Center
From Core to Clinic to Commercialization: How research underpins innovation in Canada
Dr. Karin Stephenson, McMaster University
Lu-PSMA RLT: Opportunities for Combined therapies and Adaptive Dosing
Dr. Mina Swiha, London Health Sciences
Combining biological and physical targeting
Dr. Madeleine Brown and Dr. Ray Reilly, University of Toronto
4:05 pm
- Deanna Langer, Ontario Health
- Julia Publicover, UHN
- Session Chair: Frank Maiorino, Isologic Innovative Radiopharmaceuticals
Navigating the complex landscape of reimbursement is one of the greatest challenges for the successful adoption and scaling of radiotheranostics and advanced diagnostic technologies. In this panel discussion, experts from healthcare policy, reimbursement strategy, and industry will delve into the actionable steps required to ensure appropriate reimbursement for radiotheranostics and diagnostic procedures—from early-stage research and development to widespread clinical implementation.
The panel will share insights on how to demonstrate the clinical and economic value of radiotheranostics, advocating for more streamlined processes that can support the integration of these transformative technologies into routine care. Through case studies and real-world examples, the panel will explore the importance of collaboration between stakeholders—researchers, healthcare providers, pharmaceutical companies, and governments—to build a compelling case for reimbursement, and how we can learn from the current status to improve and streamline reimbursement decisions in the future.
4:50 pm
Jason Van Wart, Laurentis Energy Partners
5:00 pm
Cocktail Reception (Canadian Nuclear Laboratories)
8:00 am
Light breakfast
8:40 am
Chad MacLean, Bruce Power
8:50 am
Canada is home to a diverse and dynamic landscape of radiotheranostics research and innovation, with groundbreaking work taking place across the country. This session will shine a spotlight on the regional contributions to the evolving field of theranostics, showcasing the cutting-edge advancements, technologies, and solutions being developed from coast to coast. From Vancouver, to Saskatoon, to Toronto, and to Montreal, each region is playing a unique role in pushing the boundaries of precision medicine, radiotheranostics, and personalized healthcare.
Through a series of presentations, experts and innovators will highlight their regional successes, challenges, and collaborations, demonstrating the diverse ways in which radiotheranostics are being applied to improve patient outcomes. Whether it’s novel techniques in the West, breakthrough therapies in the Prairies, or a new theranostics hub in Ontario, attendees will experience how Canada’s regional leaders are contributing to the global transformation of healthcare.
Vancouver/BC
Joseph Lau, BC Cancer
Saskatoon
Kate Dadachova, University of Saskatchewan
Toronto – Building a Roadmap for a Theranostics Centre at UHN based on Research Experience: From Vision to Reality
Luke Brzozowski, UHN
Montreal
Daniel Juneau, University of Montreal
10:10 am
Owen Roberts, Centre for Probe Development and Commercialization
10:25 am
Coffee and Exhibitor Break – Sponsored by Kinectrics
10:50 am
Join us for an in-depth exploration of London, Ontario’s pioneering work in radioisotope development and application, highlighting the region’s leadership in radiotheranostics. This session will showcase unique insights into how London’s world-class facilities and interdisciplinary collaboration are advancing radiotheranostics, offering solutions that bridge the gap between scientific discovery and patient care. Drawing from lessons learned, London’s leaders will explore strategies for delivering radiotheranostics at scale, navigating regulatory challenges, and ensuring equitable patient access.
In addition to showcasing London’s research excellence and leadership in patient care, the session will present a vision for the future of education in radiotheranostics, focusing on how the next generation of healthcare professionals and researchers can be trained to tackle the complexities of the field.
Session Chair: Dr. Mina Swiha and Dr. Duncan Sutherland, LHSC
How did we get here? Evolution of the Department of Molecular Imaging and Theranostics
Dr. Glenn Bauman, Dr. Jonathan Romsa, LHSC
“Be careful what you wish for” – The first 6 months on implementing a provincially funded 177Lu-PSMA program
Dr. David Laidley, LHST
Future focus building towards excellence
Dr. Stephen Nelli, Dr. Narinder Paul, LHSC
11:40 am
As Canada continues to strengthen its position as a global leader in the field of radioisotopes and radiotheranostics, collaboration between industry, academia, and government is essential to unlocking the full potential of this transformative technology. In this session, we will explore how a unified approach can drive the development, production, and application of radioisotopes to meet the growing demand for precision medicine and advanced diagnostics.
Leaders from industry, academia, and government will share insights on how cross-sector partnerships are fostering innovation, accelerating research, and ensuring that Canada remains at the forefront of radiotheranostics development. Key discussions will focus on building a sustainable and secure supply chain for radioisotopes, navigating regulatory landscapes, and addressing the workforce training needs to support this rapidly evolving field.
The session will also highlight the role of policy development and public-private collaboration in supporting the growth of Canada’s radioisotope capabilities, while exploring opportunities for Canadian institutions and companies to contribute to global health advancements.
- Kathryn Hayashi, CMIE
- Brad Wouters, UHN
- Session Chair: Pat Dalzell, Bruce Power
12:20 pm
Day 2 Closing remarks
12:30 pm
Exhibitor time during exit