Novartis, a leader in innovative medicines, has launched a 10,000-square-foot radioligand therapy (RLT) manufacturing facility in Carlsbad, California. The site marks an important step in the company’s $23 billion plan to expand its US infrastructure over the next five years.
The radioligand therapy manufacturing facility is expected to meet growing demand for RLT while boosting Novartis’ supply chain and production capabilities. The company has filed the site with the FDA as an additional US point of supply, and commercial production can start once it gets approval. RLTs are a type of precision medicine that link a tumor-targeting molecule (ligand) with a therapeutic radioisotope. This approach delivers radiation straight to tumors while sparing nearby healthy cells. Each dose is made to order and extremely time-sensitive because the radioisotope has a short half-life, so being close to treatment centers and transport hubs is essential to get the therapy to patients on time.
“At Novartis, we tackle the toughest challenges in medicine by doing what’s never been done before for patients,” said Vas Narasimhan, CEO of Novartis. “Radioligand therapy is a breakthrough we’ve unlocked at scale, made possible by reimagining how innovation reaches patients. As the global leader in RLT for more than seven years, we’ve advanced this technology with a deep belief in its power to transform cancer care. The opening of our Carlsbad facility underscores our strong commitment to the US and dedication to bringing this pioneering treatment to patients across the country.”
Novartis stands as the only pharmaceutical company with a dedicated commercial RLT portfolio. The radioligand therapy manufacturing site is the company’s third RLT manufacturing facility in the US, reinforcing its leadership in developing, producing, and delivering radioligand therapies worldwide. Purpose-built to produce FDA-approved RLTs, the facility also allows room for future expansion.
“We commend Novartis for supporting our broader mission of bringing manufacturing capacity in the United States,” said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, M.D., M.P.H.
“Novartis is transforming the future of cancer care—and it’s happening right here in Carlsbad,” said Carlsbad City Council Member Melanie Burkholder. “This new advanced RLT production facility is a major milestone for our region, strengthening California’s position as a hub for life sciences innovation. It will bring exciting new opportunities for our community, including more engineering and manufacturing jobs. I’m proud our local community will be part of the future of cancer care.”
Beyond Carlsbad, Novartis is pursuing multiple initiatives across the US. These include two additional RLT manufacturing sites in Florida and Texas, expansions at existing sites in Durham, North Carolina, Indianapolis, Indiana, and Millburn, New Jersey, and the creation of a second global R&D hub in the US with a new biomedical research innovation center in San Diego, California.
Backed by a supportive regulatory environment, these projects show Novartis’ strong commitment to the US healthcare system. The company expects to invest nearly $50 billion in its US operations over the next five years, including the $23 billion announced earlier, underlining its long-term commitment to innovation and building out infrastructure.
