A deal has been signed between biotech firm Bicycle Therapeutics, and the UK Nuclear Decommissioning Authority to produce thousands of doses of cutting-edge cancer therapies from hundreds of tonnes of reprocessed uranium.

The therapies will be made with hundreds of tonnes of reprocessed uranium, generated from historic processing of spent nuclear reactor fuel.

Bicycle was co-founded by Sir Greg Winter, who received the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 2018.

Bicycle will use a process developed by United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory (UKNNL) to harvest the valuable medical isotope lead-212 from reprocessed uranium.

A tiny amount of lead-212’s parent material is extracted through a series of processes, and through radioactive decay and then an even tinier amount of lead-212 is then taken for use in radiopharmaceuticals.

The UK Nuclear Decommissioning Authority will provide Bicycle with up to 400 tonnes of material, in the form of reprocessed uranium, over 15 years.

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."

Health innovation minister, Dr Zubir Ahmed, said: "Every breakthrough that gives patients and their loved ones new hope matters deeply – and this extraordinary partnership could be truly life-changing for people facing some of the hardest-to-treat cancers.

"I’m immensely proud that we’re backing partnerships like this, showcasing how British innovation can transform lives. By turning nuclear material into precision cancer treatments, we’re opening new frontiers in the fight against this deadly disease.

"This is exactly the kind of bold thinking that will help us build an NHS fit for the future – harnessing life sciences potential to improve care, save lives, and drive economic growth across the UK."