2nd Annual CMIE Conference on Medical Isotopes

December 11-12 2025
Sheraton Toronto Airport Hotel & Conference Centre
801 Dixon Rd, Toronto, ON M9W 1J5

agenda

Click on a date below to see the full agenda for each day.
Agenda PDFs also available: Day 1 & 2

8:00am

Check In & Breakfast

8:30am

Welcome & Introductions

8:45am

Keynote Address: Global Pulse: Trends shaping the future of medical isotopes and Canada’s role

  • Paul Schaffer, CTO, Telix Pharmaceuticals

This keynote explores the rapidly evolving landscape of medical isotopes, from cutting-edge production technologies to their expanding clinical applications in diagnostics and therapy. It will examine global trends driving innovation, highlight challenges in supply and sustainability, and discuss how Canada’s expertise, infrastructure, and collaborative ecosystem position the country as a leader in shaping the future of nuclear medicine worldwide.

9:25am

Speed networking session

9:35am

Inside the Journey: lessons learned from startup companies

  • Adam Shuhendler, Co-Founder & CSO, Yellowbird Diagnostics
  • Humphrey Fonge, Co-Founder & CEO, Ac225 Biotherapeutics
  • Christopher Ing, Co-Founder & CSO, ProteinQure

    This panel brings together founders and leaders from CMIEDF-funded startups to share their experiences advancing innovative ideas towards commercialization. Panelists will discuss the challenges, breakthroughs, and key lessons learned along the way, offering valuable insights into building early-stage companies in Canada’s medical isotope and radiopharmaceutical ecosystem.

10:05am

Coffee break

10:25am

Innovation on the Horizon: Spotlight on new CMIEDF-funded programs

  • Saman Sadeghi, Co-Founder & CEO, RadioSyn
  • Remi Vachon, Project Manager, RC14

Showcasing CMIE’s newly funded projects advancing isotope science and commercialization across Canada.

11:05am

Platinum sponsor presentation – Bruce Power

  • Chad MacLean, Senior Director of Business Development and Operations, Bruce Power

An overview of Bruce Power’s contributions to isotope innovation and industry leadership.

11:30am

Entrepreneurship & Equity: Centering Indigenous collaboration from day one

  • Councillor Greg Nadjiwon, Saugeen Ojibway Nation
  • Chad MacLean, Senior Director of Business Development and Operations, Bruce Power
  • Don Richardson, President & CEO, Minogi Corp.

This panel examines the role of Indigenous collaboration and leadership in fostering equitable, sustainable innovation in Canada’s nuclear and radiopharmaceutical sectors. Discussions will focus on trust-building, partnership, and integrating Indigenous perspectives from the outset of projects.

12:00pm

Special Announcements & Closing Remarks

12:20pm

Lunch & Ecosystem Map

1:00pm

Tour – McMaster University & AtomVie

Exclusive site visits offering a behind-the-scenes look at leading isotope research, production, and manufacturing facilities.

6:00pm

Drinks and dinner reception

8:30am

Arrival & Breakfast

9:00am

Welcome

9:05am

Understanding Applications of AI for PET in 2025

  • Katherine Zukotynski, McMaster University

This keynote discusses AI applications for PET and where we are at the end of 2025. It will explore the key steps, challenges and best practices in using AI in our field and beyond.

9:45am

Fundamentals of Quality Systems

  • Oscar Grilli, Vice President Quality Operations, CPDC

An overview of the fundamentals of Quality Management Systems (QMS) as they apply to radiopharmaceutical manufacturing in Canada. Participants will gain a high-level insight into the structure and requirements of a compliant QMS, its elements, its guiding principles, and the organizational culture needed to ensure compliance with Health Canada GMP requirements, product quality, and patient safety in radiopharmaceutical production.

10:05am

Panel: The Isotope Supply Chain Puzzle: Every Piece Counts

  • Melody Greaves, Executive Director & VP Government Relations, Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council (CNIC)
  • Jason Van Wart, President, BWXT Medical Ltd.
  • Luke Chrusciel, General Manager Pharmaceutical Diagnostics, GE Healthcare

The global demand for medical isotopes continues to rise, yet ensuring reliable, efficient, and sustainable supply remains a complex challenge. This panel brings together leaders from across the isotope ecosystem to explore how each puzzle piece in the supply chain contributes to the overall system’s resilience. Panelists will discuss collaborative strategies, innovation in production technologies, and the critical interdependencies that keep life-saving isotopes flowing from reactors and cyclotrons to patients.

 

Panel Objectives:

  • Illustrate how each stage of the isotope supply chain contributes to overall system reliability.
  • Identify key challenges and bottlenecks affecting isotope production and distribution.
  • Highlight new technologies and innovations strengthening supply chain resilience.
  • Explore future needs, and the need for cross-sector partnerships to support sustainable isotope availability.

10:35am

Coffee Break

10:55am

Homegrown Breakthroughs: Celebrating Canadian success stories

  • Joseph Oliverio, President & CEO, Actineer

11:25am

Federal funding as a catalyst for growth

11:45am

Ecosystem in Action: CMIE’s impact and the road ahead

  • Karin Stephenson, Director Nuclear Research & Education Support, McMaster University

An overview of major CMIE-funded projects from TRIUMF, CNL, Bruce Power, CPDC, and McMaster. This session highlights key milestones, achievements, and the future direction of Canada’s growing medical isotope ecosystem.

12:05pm

Fireside Chat – From Start-up to Success: The entrepreneurial journey in Canada’s radiopharmaceutical sector

  • Lana Janes, Co-Founder & COO, Abdera Therapeutics

In this engaging fireside chat, Lana Janes shares insights from her entrepreneurial journey in Canada’s growing radiopharmaceutical sector. From navigating early-stage challenges to achieving commercial success, the discussion will highlight the innovations, partnerships, and perseverance driving the next generation of radiopharmaceutical ventures.

12:35pm

Closing Remarks

12:45pm

Lunch & Networking

Featured Conference Topics
  • Global Pulse: Trends Shaping the Future of Medical Isotopes and Canada’s Role (Keynote Presentation)
  • Innovation on the Horizon: Spotlight on New CMIEDF-Funded Projects
  • Inside the Journey: Lessons Learned from CMIEDF Trailblazers (Panel Discussion)

  • Understanding Applications of AI for PET in 2025

  • Homegrown Breakthroughs: Celebrating Canadian Success Stories
  • Ecosystem in Action: CMIE’s Impact and the Road Ahead
  • From Start-up to Exit: The Entrepreneurial Journey in Canada’s Radiopharmaceutical Sector (Fireside Chat)