What Centre for Probe Development and Commercialization does

CPDC is a Canadian not-for-profit organization founded in 2008 by Dr. John Valliant of McMaster University, headquartered in Hamilton, Ontario, that advances nuclear medicine and radiopharmaceutical development for both Canadian and global patients. Its core activities span the full radiopharmaceutical lifecycle: preclinical research and development (Cadena Research, launched September 2025 as a wholly-owned CRO), GMP-compliant manufacturing and advisory services, clinical trial support (60+ trials conducted across North America and Europe over 15 years), and the delivery of more than 65,000 clinical doses to Canadian patients. The organization also holds exclusive Canadian licensing rights for PSMA-1007, a Phase III-completed 18F-labeled diagnostic imaging agent for prostate cancer expected to reach Canadian patients in 2026.

CPDC's business model combines multiple revenue streams rather than a single pricing structure. Professional services revenue is generated through Cadena Research (preclinical CRO services) and GMP advisory work. Licensing royalties flow from in-licensed assets like PSMA-1007 (from ABX GmbH). Strategic investment activity generates returns through seed and Series A investments in radiopharmaceutical startups, exemplified by the $650,000 seed investment in RadioSyn (June 2025). The company creation/spin-out model — responsible for founding or incubating Fusion Pharmaceuticals, AtomVie Global Radiopharma, ARTMS, and CanProbe — provides both reputational returns and potential future exit upside. Major government backing through the co-led $80M Canadian Medical Isotope Ecosystem (CMIE) initiative and prior $8M Government of Canada grant provides non-dilutive funding for ecosystem programs.

The organization serves a diverse customer base including early-stage radiopharmaceutical startups, academic researchers, biotechnology companies, large pharmaceutical firms, and government/healthcare entities. Its go-to-market combines direct enterprise outreach (via [email protected]), industry events (such as the CMIE-CNIC Symposium on Medical Isotopes), and ecosystem-led community engagement through CMIE. With 51-100 employees and recent senior leadership expansion across business development, quality operations, contract research, and CMIE ecosystem functions, CPDC operates as a sector orchestrator for Canadian radiopharmaceutical development rather than a traditional commercial entity.

Name

Centre for Probe Development and Commercialization

Legal name

Centre for Probe Development and Commercialization

Website

https://cpdc.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CPDC is a Canadian not-for-profit advancing nuclear medicine through radiopharmaceutical development, GMP manufacturing, preclinical CRO services (Cadena Research), strategic investments, and spin-out company creation. It serves radiopharmaceutical innovators, academic researchers, and biotech and pharmaceutical companies in Canada and globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Radiopharmaceutical Development Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)

akta.pro primary industry

Radiopharmaceutical Manufacturing & CDMO (Synthesis, GMP, Packaging, QA/QC) (EUAKAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Radiopharmaceutical CDMO & Manufacturing (GMP Fill-Finish) (HLAIAGAF), Clinical CROs (Phase I–IV) (HLAGAAAA), Regulatory Strategy & Global Submissions (IND/CTA/NDA/BLA/MAA) (HLAGAKAA), Clinical Quality Assurance (GCP QA, TMF/QMS oversight) (HLAGAKAI)

Keywords

• Radiopharmaceutical development
• Preclinical contract research
• GMP manufacturing services
• Nuclear medicine development
• Radiopharmaceutical licensing

Headquarters

HQ city

Hamilton

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Strategic Investments: CPDC makes direct Seed and Series A investments in early-stage radiopharmaceutical companies and technologies, seeking to enhance value and advance impact of innovations in the sector.
2. GMP Advisory Services: Specialized quality and GMP advisory services tailored to the unique needs of the Canadian radiopharmaceutical industry, offering end-to-end guidance for compliance across manufacturing and control processes.
3. Contract Research Services (Cadena Research): Preclinical contract research organization providing laboratory services for radiopharmaceutical development from early-stage research through IND-enabling studies, including advisory services covering all drug development stages.
4. Licensing and Commercialization: CPDC holds exclusive licensing rights for PSMA-1007 from ABX GmbH to manufacture, commercialize and distribute imaging agents in Canada, with plans to bring diagnostic tools to the Canadian market.
5. Company Creation and Spin-outs: CPDC incubates and spins out companies from its research, having successfully created Fusion Pharmaceuticals, AtomVie Global Radiopharma, ARTMS, and CanProbe, creating commercial entities that advance radiopharmaceutical availability.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

CPDC develops, manufactures, and commercialises radiopharmaceuticals and molecular imaging probes through a preclinical CRO (Cadena Research), GMP advisory services, and exclusive licensing of diagnostic agents such as PSMA-1007. It also provides strategic investments, in-licensing, and company-creation services to accelerate radiopharmaceutical innovation. The organisation co-leads the $80M Canadian Medical Isotope Ecosystem (CMIE) to advance the broader medical isotope sector.

Product overview

CPDC is a not-for-profit organization advancing nuclear medicine through radiopharmaceutical development. The portfolio consists of a core contract research organization (Cadena Research) offering preclinical development services, a Phase III-stage diagnostic agent (PSMA-1007) for prostate cancer, GMP advisory services, and the Canadian Medical Isotope Ecosystem (CMIE) initiative. CPDC has also successfully created spin-out companies including Fusion Pharmaceuticals (acquired by AstraZeneca), AtomVie Global Radiopharma (CDMO), and ARTMS (acquired by Telix Pharmaceuticals).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cadena Research: A preclinical contract research organization (CRO) created by CPDC to accelerate the development of radiopharmaceuticals. Provides comprehensive preclinical development support including in vitro and in vivo R&D, screening, lead optimization, toxicology, dosimetry, imaging, and advanced radiochemistry capabilities.

Products and services

• Cadena Research A preclinical Contract Research Organization (CRO) offering comprehensive development support for radiopharmaceutical innovators worldwide. Services include in vitro and in vivo R&D, screening, lead optimization, toxicology, dosimetry, imaging, and advanced radiochemistry capabilities, plus GLP capabilities for IND-enabling studies. Targeted at startups, academic innovators, biotechnology companies, and large pharmaceutical firms developing radiopharmaceuticals.
• PSMA-1007 An 18F-labeled diagnostic imaging agent targeting prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) protein for prostate cancer detection. CPDC holds exclusive licensing rights from ABX GmbH (Germany) to manufacture, commercialise, and distribute the imaging agent in Canada. Completed Phase III clinical trials and expected to be available to Canadian patients in 2026.
• GMP Services Specialised quality and GMP advisory services tailored to the Canadian radiopharmaceutical industry, with over 15 years of experience in clinical and commercial applications. Offers end-to-end guidance for GMP assessments, audit readiness, and ongoing quality assurance operations with systems that have consistently met the highest standards during regulatory inspections and client audits.
• Canadian Medical Isotope Ecosystem (CMIE) An $80M initiative co-led by CPDC and TRIUMF Innovations, backed by Government of Canada's Strategic Innovation Fund, uniting stakeholders in the medical isotope sector to accelerate technology development and commercialisation. Includes a $5M development fund (CMIEDF) offering financial support to innovators, developers, and academic institutions across Canada.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 60 clinical trials supported and conducted in Canada, North America, and Europe
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• CQDMminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025CQDM and CPDC launched a strategic initiative to support next-generation radiopharmaceutical development in Canada, with a call for ideas open to innovative companies and researchers. Selected participants may receive direct investments or collaboration opportunities.
• Lab2Market (L2M)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership to launch L2M Discover Radiopharma program, a 10-week virtual training program to cultivate entrepreneurial skills among Canadian researchers in the radiopharmaceutical sector, beginning September 2025.
• Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council (CNIC)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024CNIC partnered with CMIE to host the 1st Annual Symposium on Medical Isotopes, bringing together industry leaders, researchers, and innovators to advance Canada's medical isotope sector.
• AtomVie Global Radiopharma Inc.coreOthers · 1 January 2022Spun out of CPDC in 2022, AtomVie is a global leading CDMO for radiotherapeutics, leveraging 10 years of expertise in GMP manufacturing and global distribution of radiopharmaceuticals.
• TRIUMF InnovationscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020CPDC and TRIUMF Innovations joined forces in 2020 to co-lead the Canadian Medical Isotope Ecosystem (CMIE), an $80M initiative backed by the Government of Canada's Strategic Innovation Fund. TRIUMF Innovations bridges Canada's national particle accelerator laboratory with the business world.
• Dana-Farber Cancer InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016In 2016, Dana-Farber and CPDC joined to create the International Probe Development Consortium (IPDC), combining expertise in radiopharmaceutical development and cancer research to create novel molecular probes for non-invasive imaging in cancer research, drug development, and patient care.
• Fusion Pharmaceuticals Inc.coreOthers · 1 January 2016Spun out of CPDC in 2016, Fusion Pharmaceuticals developed next-generation radiopharmaceuticals as precision medicines for cancer treatment. Acquired by AstraZeneca in 2024 for up to $2.4B USD.
• ARTMScoreOthers · 1 January 2013Founded in 2013 by CPDC, TRIUMF, Lawson Health Research Institute, and BC Cancer. Specializes in cyclotron-produced radionuclides with its QUANTM Irradiation System (QIS). Acquired by Telix Pharmaceuticals in 2024 for up to $82M USD.
• McMaster UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008McMaster University provided supporting infrastructure to CPDC from its launch in 2008 until 2022. McMaster has a long history in Nuclear Research spanning more than 50 years since the opening of the McMaster Nuclear Reactor (MNR) in 1959, recognized as a world-leader in radiation sciences, nuclear engineering, medical isotope and radiopharmaceutical production.
• Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOICR has enabled funding of early-stage discovery projects at various academic institutions in Canada, provided regulatory support for clinical trials in Ontario, and helped bring new cancer diagnostic agents to Canadians. OICR is an innovative cancer research and development institute funded by the Government of Ontario, supporting more than 1,700 investigators.
• Lawson Health Research InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLawson and CPDC have a long-standing relationship as co-founders of ARTMS, along with TRIUMF and BC Cancer Agency. Lawson has partnered with CPDC as a manufacturing and clinical site for CPDC's Phase 3 clinical trial for [18F]PSMA-1007, a diagnostic agent for prostate cancer.
• Digital Health Discovery Platform (DHDP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe DHDP is a pan-Canadian initiative bringing together health researchers, AI experts, and industry partners to accelerate precision medicine. CPDC will collaborate with national partners to advance AI-enabled, data-driven analysis in oncology and other disease areas.
• think-cellminorOthersthink-cell is a charting and layout software used for creating charts in Microsoft PowerPoint presentations.
• CanProbeminorOthersCo-founded by CPDC as part of its role in advancing the Canadian radiopharmaceutical ecosystem.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• AtomVie Global Radiopharma: Spun out from CPDC in 2022, AtomVie is a global CDMO for radiotherapeutics built on CPDC's GMP platform, offering Phase 1 to commercial manufacturing and distribution. It is the most directly comparable peer given shared DNA and overlapping services.
• Curium Pharma: One of the largest global radiopharmaceutical CDMOs, supplying SPECT/PET diagnostic and therapeutic products worldwide. Closely comparable to CPDC's GMP manufacturing and CDMO activities via AtomVie.
• PETNET Solutions (Siemens Healthineers): Operates the largest network of PET radiopharma manufacturing centers globally under Siemens Healthineers, providing GMP PET tracer production. Directly comparable to CPDC's GMP and radiotracer capabilities.
• Telix Pharmaceuticals: Commercial-stage radiopharma company that acquired ARTMS (a CPDC spin-out) in 2024 for up to $82M USD; develops and commercializes diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals globally. Direct competitor and former portfolio company.
• ITM Isotope Technologies Munich: Vertically integrated radiopharmaceutical company producing medical radioisotopes and developing targeted radiotherapeutics with in-house CDMO capabilities. Comparable to CPDC across isotope supply, GMP, and therapeutic development.

Broad incumbents

• Lantheus Holdings: Established radiopharmaceutical company with diagnostic imaging agents (e.g., Pylarify PSMA, DEFINITY) and growing radiotherapeutic pipeline. Overlaps with CPDC on PSMA-1007 competitive landscape and broader CDMO/CDN footprint.
• Bayer (Radiopharmaceuticals / Algeta heritage): Major pharma with a radioligand therapy franchise (Xofigo heritage from Algeta) and pipeline of targeted radiotherapeutics. Comparable as a large incumbent active in radiopharmaceutical commercialization and manufacturing.
• GE HealthCare: Operates a global radiopharmaceutical manufacturing and distribution network and supplies molecular imaging agents. Comparable as a broad incumbent in radiopharma manufacturing and commercialization adjacent to CPDC's GMP CDMO model.
• Cardinal Health Nuclear & Pharmacy Services: Operates one of the largest U.S. radiopharma distribution and manufacturing networks for radiopharmaceuticals. Comparable as an established distributor/manufacturer serving similar nuclear medicine end-customers.

Others

• Fusion Pharmaceuticals (AstraZeneca): Spun out from CPDC in 2016 and acquired by AstraZeneca in 2024 for up to $2.4B USD; develops targeted alpha therapies. Included as a former portfolio company and ecosystem alumnus rather than a current direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/The_CPDC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/centre-for-probe-development-and-commercialization

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Centre for Probe Development and Commercialization