United Kingdom - 17 Dec, 2025: A pioneering collaboration between the UK’s life sciences and nuclear sectors is set to unlock a new pathway for advanced cancer treatment, with precision radiopharmaceuticals to be produced using reprocessed uranium from historic nuclear fuel.
The initiative follows a long-term agreement between Bicycle Therapeutics, a UK-based clinical-stage biotech company, and the UK Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA). Under the 15-year partnership, Bicycle will gain access to up to 400 tonnes of reprocessed uranium material, enabling the production of medical isotopes essential for next-generation cancer therapies.
At the heart of the programme is the extraction of lead-212, a rare radioisotope used in targeted radiopharmaceuticals. The isotope will be harvested using a specialised process developed by the United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory (UKNNL), which isolates trace amounts of lead-212 generated through radioactive decay. These quantities, although extremely small, are sufficient to support the production of tens of thousands of therapeutic doses annually.
Radiopharmaceuticals are designed to deliver radiation directly to cancer cells, offering a more precise alternative to conventional radiotherapy. By limiting exposure to surrounding healthy tissue, these treatments have the potential to reduce side effects while improving outcomes for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers, including prostate and neuroendocrine tumours.
While lead-212-based therapies have already shown promise in adult cancer treatment, this collaboration is expected to significantly expand manufacturing capacity and long-term availability. The enduring nature of reprocessed uranium allows the isotope supply to regenerate continuously, creating a stable and scalable source for clinical development.
Bicycle Therapeutics, co-founded by Nobel Laureate Sir Greg Winter, is advancing a novel class of medicines known as Bicycle® molecules. These small, engineered compounds are designed to target disease with high precision and are being developed to address conditions where existing therapies fall short. The company will integrate lead-212 into its radiopharmaceutical pipeline using a dedicated radioisotope generator developed by medical isotope specialists Spectron Rx.
The partnership also reflects broader government-backed efforts to strengthen the UK’s position at the intersection of nuclear science, biotechnology, and advanced healthcare. It builds on recent public investment supporting isotope extraction research and complements wider initiatives aimed at accelerating innovation across life sciences, nuclear technology, and NHS cancer care.
Industry leaders involved in the programme have highlighted the collaboration as a model for cross-sector innovation, demonstrating how legacy nuclear materials can be repurposed to deliver societal and medical value. By transforming nuclear by-products into life-saving cancer treatments, the initiative represents a significant step forward in precision medicine and sustainable innovation.
In a press release published by www.gov.uk, Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said:
"Cancer is a disease that affects millions worldwide, and tears too many families apart. Breakthroughs in medical science are giving more cancer patients and their loved ones hope, and this unique partnership could help take that work even further.
Turning nuclear material into cutting-edge cancer treatments sounds like science fiction – but thanks to the brilliance of scientists, researchers and doctors, it could be a life-saving reality. Work like this shows exactly why we’re determined to support our life sciences innovators to make groundbreaking new treatments possible."
The programme is expected to play a key role in expanding access to advanced radiopharmaceutical therapies over the coming years, reinforcing the UK’s position as a global hub for biotech innovation and translational science.
