North Star Project: Advancing Global 13C Isotope Production
Launched in mid-2020, the North Star Project represents the world’s largest 13C production cascade. Following completion of Phase One construction in March 2024, CIL introduced naturally abundant carbon feedstock into the front end of its advanced cryogenic distillation cascade system.
With each enrichment stage, performance has exceeded projected targets, delivering exceptional isotopic enrichment efficiency. The first highly enriched 13C finished product is scheduled for release in October 2024. By April 2025, additional front-end systems will bring the full cascade to world-scale carbon-13 production capacity, reinforcing CIL’s leadership in the global stable isotope market.
Leadership Perspective on the North Star Expansion
Cliff Caldwell, CEO of Cambridge Isotope Laboratories
“This is CIL’s fourth 13C production system since 1990. Our engineering team has leveraged more than 30 years of experience in isotope system design, construction, and operations to develop our most advanced carbon-13 production cascade to date. The North Star Project demonstrates how expertise in cryogenic distillation and isotope enrichment delivers measurable value to both CIL and our global customers.”
Mike Steiger, Vice President of Engineering and Project Execution
“CIL’s organic chemists utilise our highly enriched 13C isotopes to manufacture a broad range of labelled compounds critical for environmental testing, biopharmaceutical research, and medical diagnostics. One essential product is 13C Urea, widely used in the non-invasive detection of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections. Since H. pylori is a leading cause of stomach ulcers and gastric cancer worldwide, 13C Urea provides a reliable, cost-effective diagnostic solution. The North Star Project ensures long-term supply stability for 13C Urea while supporting future growth across emerging life science and healthcare applications.”
Global Leader in Stable Isotope Production
For decades, CIL has been the industry authority in cryogenic distillation and stable isotope production, solidifying its position as the world’s premier producer of carbon-13 isotopes. The successful expansion of the North Star Project ensures reliable, scalable 13C supply for customers in pharmaceutical development, clinical diagnostics, environmental science, government research, and academic institutions worldwide.
About Cambridge Isotope Laboratories
Cambridge Isotope Laboratories, Inc. (CIL) is the world’s leading producer of stable isotopes and isotopically labelled compounds. With approximately 700 employees and facilities across five countries, CIL specialises in enriching biochemical and organic compounds with stable (non-radioactive) isotopes of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen.
CIL replaces common isotopes (¹H, ¹²C, ¹⁴N, ¹⁶O) with rare, high-value stable isotopes (²H/D, ¹³C, ¹⁵N, ¹⁸O), enabling precise analysis using mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). CIL products support laboratories, healthcare providers, pharmaceutical companies, academic institutions, and government agencies worldwide.
For more information about the North Star Project and CIL’s expanded 13C production capabilities, visit:
www.isotope.com
