News &views
UK project turns used nuclear fuel into next-generation cancer therapies
The UK is set to turn used nuclear fuel into a sustainable source of cutting-edge cancer treatments, following a major £18.8 million investment into a national programme developing targeted alpha therapies.
The project — led by the UK National Nuclear Laboratory (UKNNL) and Medicines Discovery Catapult (MDC) — will harvest lead-212, a powerful therapeutic radionuclide, from recycled nuclear materials. This isotope can be used to create Targeted Alpha Therapies, an emerging class of precision medicines designed to destroy cancer cells with exceptional accuracy while minimising damage to healthy tissue.
Although radionuclides are widely used in medical imaging, their use as cancer- killing agents is only now becoming viable. Lead-212 is particularly promising: even an infinitesimally small amount can power treatments for thousands of patients, and the UK has unusually large sovereign reserves — making the supply both secure and highly scalable.
UKNNL has developed a process to extract minute quantities of this isotope from materials that have already served in the nation’s energy infrastructure. What was once considered nuclear waste could soon become a life-saving medical resource.
by Gwyneth Astles The latest news from the science industry
Radiopharmaceuticals represent a powerful and precise approach to cancer therapy. Credit: Medicines Discovery Catapult
Funding from Innovate UK’s Sustainable Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Programme (SMMIP) will enable the consortium to build the infrastructure needed to move these therapies towards clinical trials.
Julianne Antrobus, CEO of UKNNL, said: “Through access to the UK’s sovereign supply of lead-212, we have a unique opportunity to transform our nuclear expertise into life-saving cancer treatments.”
Professor Chris Molloy, CEO of MDC, added: “Lead-212 is an untapped national asset with extraordinary medical potential. This programme positions Britain at the forefront of precision radiochemistry and next-generation cancer care.”
The consortium brings together scientific, nuclear, radiochemistry and biotech expertise, including Cyclife Aquila Nuclear, PentaBind, Iksuda Therapeutics, Seda, and entX — forming the UK’s most comprehensive ecosystem for developing and scaling targeted alpha therapies.
If successful, the programme could unlock a new class of sustainable cancer medicines and place the UK at the centre of a rapidly accelerating global field.
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UK backs satellite communications with £6.9 million investment
The UK Space Agency has announced a £6.9 million investment for five UK-led projects developing the next wave of satellite communications - from in-orbit refuelling
to 5G from space and optical links for lunar missions. The investment comes through ESA’s ARTES programme and reinforces the UK’s ambition to remain a major European
player in advanced connectivity.
With Europe’s satellite demand projected to hit £40 billion by 2033, the UK is positioning itself to capture a significant share. Even a modest 2% slice would generate around £800 million for the UK economy.
Space Minister Liz Lloyd emphasised how deeply satellite technology underpins daily life: “From sat nav to mobile phones and online banking – space is where it all happens. By backing our UK sector, we’re creating high-skilled jobs, attracting investment, and ensuring space technologies connect communities to the services they need.”
The funded projects highlight the breadth of UK expertise. Orbit Fab will advance satellite refuelling technology, enabling electric-propulsion spacecraft to stay on- orbit for longer or manoeuvre away from threats. Cornwall’s Goonhilly Earth Station will develop equipment compatible with LunaNet, the emerging global framework for lunar communications.
Vicinity Technologies is building a 5G Non-Terrestrial Network payload and
The funding will drive advances in satellite communications and lunar missions. Credit: Goonhilly
user terminals to provide uninterrupted connectivity - even in remote regions. Archangel Lightworks, supported by Eutelsat, is exploring optical communications for future OneWeb links. Meanwhile, Viasat UK will progress a system to help governments manage and secure satellite communications from multiple providers.
Dr Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, said the investment demonstrates how space R&D translates into real-world benefits: “We’re building a globally competitive sector and ensuring communities across the UK can access the space-enabled services they rely on.”
The announcement came ahead of the ESA Ministerial Council in Bremen on 26–27 November 2025, where the government confirmed future funding priorities. Independent evaluation shows every £1 invested in ESA delivers £7.49 in economic return to the UK.
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