Natural Resources committee  First, it's game-changing because of the technology; second, it integrates the irradiation with the processing; third, it's specifically dedicated to molybdenum, so you don't need to think about the broader research piece. In terms of timing, we're looking at mid- to late 2014, a

Natural Resources committee  Oh, and our agreement is to enable us to meet about 50% of U.S. demand. I can't give you the exact quantities and capacities, but it's my understanding that this will not take up all of what the reactor can produce.

Natural Resources committee  It would have a similar production level. In other words, it's not minimal; we anticipate that it would be substantial. We don't have an agreement or contract with them yet—they're not at that stage—but as you can imagine, they're just an hour-and-a-half drive down the road from

Natural Resources committee  I'll ask my colleague to answer that one.

Natural Resources committee  I can't give you a direct answer on standardization of technology, but as I think you pointed out, Doctor, it's the interchangeability into the reactors. You might have the tubular version as well as the flat panel. To some extent that is a function of how you can fit it into the

Natural Resources committee  I would agree that we're on the cusp of new technology. We still have to cross over into seeing whether it is commercially viable and can give us the quantities, and also whether, if you have changed the investment paradigm, hospitals will invest in it. There are a number of fact

Natural Resources committee  The answer to your question is that both exist. On an international level, the OECD high-level working group--I think Canada is represented by Serge Dupont on that panel--met in December and meets again in June. It brings together representatives from nation states around the wor

Natural Resources committee  There are two diversities about which we're speaking. I think you have the diversity of the PET, cyclotrons, accelerators, and other methods of getting moly-99. As I said earlier, many of them have shown they can make it. The question is whether it's economical and commercial-sca

Natural Resources committee  I think I'll start with the end of your questions on moving forward in terms of the supply puzzle. In our approach we work very hard to spread the moly equitably and fairly across the world so we can serve the maximum number of patients. Obviously, the presence of facilities on t

Natural Resources committee  But the point is that the reactors are all old. I don't think it's anything unique to Canada or unique to HFR or unique to BR2. They're all old. This is just what happens. So you have to have admiration for the folks trying to fix them.

Natural Resources committee  I will, and I see that folks are reading through the comments, so I will stop. All I will say is that all these initiatives, including the efforts in the United States, will benefit Canada, and I will yield to the chair.

Natural Resources committee  I'll answer that in several fashions. First, I'll say that I'm not an engineer, and I'll admit that immediately. I have high respect for the engineers. What I am told in regard to the various new technological alternatives, might they be cyclotrons or accelerators or PET technolo

Natural Resources committee  Thank you, Philippe. My name is Steve Littlejohn. I'm with Covidien, a global health-care products company. I'm a vice-president at Covidien's pharmaceuticals segment, which is based in St. Louis, Missouri. I also co-chair our global task force that is helping to manage the chal

Natural Resources committee  Actually Mr. Hébert will start for us.