Novartis opens new radioligand therapy manufacturing facility in California
Basel: Novartis, a global medicines company, has announced the opening of a new 10,000-square-foot radioligand therapy (RLT) manufacturing facility in Carlsbad, California.
The opening of the Carlsbad manufacturing facility allows Novartis to meet future demand for RLT, adding additional capacity and augmenting the company’s supply chain capabilities. The Carlsbad facility has been filed with the FDA as an additional US point of supply, and commercial manufacturing may begin once approval is granted.
RLTs are a form of precision medicine that combines a tumor-targeting molecule (ligand) with a therapeutic radioisotope, enabling the delivery of radiation to the tumor with the goal of limiting damage to the surrounding cells.
“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.”
The Carlsbad facility is purpose-built to manufacture the company’s FDA-approved RLTs with capacity 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.. “Our unique partnership approach is working.”
“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.”
In addition to the Carlsbad opening, Novartis has announced multiple construction initiatives and future plans in the US, including:
- Two additional RLT manufacturing facilities in Florida and Texas.
- Expansion of existing sites in Durham, North Carolina, Indianapolis, Indiana, and Millburn, New Jersey.
- Establishing its second global R&D hub in the US with a new state-of-the-art biomedical research innovation facility in San Diego, California.
Novartis expects to invest nearly $50 billion in its US operations over the next five years, including the $23 billion announced earlier this year.
