Novartis Invests $23 Billion to Boost Radioligand Manufacturing Capacity in Carlsbad

Novartis has opened a new 10,000-square-foot radioligand therapy (RLT) manufacturing facility in Carlsbad, California, marking another major step in its $23 billion U.S. expansion plan. The site, the company’s third RLT production center in the country, will serve patients across the western U.S., reinforcing Novartis’ 99.9% on-time delivery record and leadership in precision oncology.

Radioligand therapy, a next-generation precision medicine, links a tumor-targeting molecule with a radioactive isotope to deliver localized radiation directly to cancer cells while sparing surrounding tissue. Because each dose is individually prepared and time-sensitive, regional manufacturing is critical. The Carlsbad facility will serve patients across the western United States, Alaska, and Hawaii, helping maintain Novartis’ exceptional on-time delivery rate of over 99.9%.

“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,” said Vas Narasimhan, M.D., CEO of Novartis. “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.”

The Carlsbad site has been submitted to the FDA as an additional US supply point, with commercial manufacturing expected to begin following regulatory approval. It is designed to produce Novartis’ FDA-approved RLTs and includes capacity for future expansion to meet growing global demand.

Novartis remains the only pharmaceutical company with a dedicated commercial RLT portfolio and maintains leadership in this fast-evolving field. The company’s existing manufacturing sites in New Jersey, Indiana, and North Carolina will be complemented by additional facilities planned in Florida and Texas. Novartis also announced the establishment of a new biomedical research innovation hub in San Diego, further reinforcing its R&D presence in the United States.

These developments are part of a wider commitment by Novartis to invest nearly $50 billion in its US operations over the next five years, reflecting confidence in the country’s pro-innovation environment and the company’s long-term strategy to expand access to advanced cancer treatments.

With one of the industry’s deepest pipelines in radioligand research, Novartis is exploring applications across multiple tumor types, including prostate, breast, colon, lung, brain, and pancreatic cancers. By combining cutting-edge science with a robust manufacturing network, the company aims to deliver precision radiotherapies to more patients worldwide, bringing a new level of personalization to cancer care.