Novartis Expands US Radioligand Manufacturing as Telix Reports Cancer Trial Data
Novartis expands US radioligand manufacturing with new Texas and North Carolina facilities to bolster domestic production of cancer treatments. Telix Pharmaceuticals reports positive Phase 3 prostate cancer trial data and maintains 2026 revenue guidance of US$950-970 million.
Novartis is expanding its radioligand therapy and pharmaceutical manufacturing footprint in the United States with a new facility in Texas and several new or enlarged sites across the country. The build-out includes new investment in Texas and North Carolina and is part of a broader push to produce all key US medicines domestically. These projects are designed to support supply of key treatments for US patients and reinforce the company's position in radioligand therapy.
The expansion adds a fifth US radioligand therapy site and new active pharmaceutical ingredient capacity in North Carolina, pushing toward end-to-end US production of key medicines, including time-sensitive cancer treatments. This move supports the narrative that trial progress and advanced therapies can underpin long-term demand by putting more infrastructure behind brands such as Pluvicto and other pipeline assets.
In the clinical space, Novartis said last week its actinium-based radiopharmaceutical showed anti-tumour activity in advanced prostate cancer, even in patients previously treated with Pluvicto. Novartis will take the drug into two late-stage studies. The move points to how crowded and well-funded the radiopharmaceutical space now is.
Meanwhile, Telix Pharmaceuticals presented Part 1 data from its ProstACT Global Phase 3 trial for prostate cancer at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting in Chicago. The company reported TLX591-Tx was tolerated and did not show any new safety issues in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. A study investigator said the data "support further evaluation" during the randomized phase.
Telix keeps leaning on its commercial base. First-quarter unaudited group revenue came in at US$230 million, an 11% rise from the previous quarter. The company kept its 2026 revenue guidance at US$950 million to US$970 million. The CEO said there was faster growth in the precision medicine segment, including prostate-cancer imaging drugs Illuccix and Gozellix.
Telix also announced a June 2 memorandum of understanding with United Imaging Healthcare North America. That deal aims to look at a US research tie-up using Telix imaging kits with United Imaging's scanners, software and AI products. "Close alignment" is needed between scanners, software, and radiopharmaceuticals, the Telix Precision Medicine CEO said.
In related industry news, Lantheus secured FDA approval in March for Pylarify TruVu, a new version of its PSMA imaging agent. PSMA PET scans rely on a radioactive tracer to track the return or spread of prostate cancer.
Telix shares ended the recent Friday at A$13.31, rising 3.26%. The stock gained 12.49% over the last four weeks but remained 47.93% lower for the past year. The company previously ran into regulatory challenges in August 2025 when the US FDA asked for more data on its application for a kidney-cancer imaging drug, citing issues in manufacturing and supply chain.
In the radiopharmaceutical space, one of the biggest names is Novartis, which has its own radioligand therapies and massive global reach. Telix works on radiopharmaceuticals – using targeted radioactive molecules to help detect and treat cancers like prostate and kidney. The company has commercial products on the market and growing sales, and has notched multiple approval milestones across different regions.