Novartis, a leading global innovative medicines company, today announced the opening of a new 10,000-square-foot radioligand therapy (RLT) manufacturing facility in Carlsbad, California. This state-of-the-art site represents a key milestone in the company’s previously announced $23 billion investment in US infrastructure over the next five years.
The opening of the Carlsbad manufacturing facility allows Novartis to seamlessly meet future demand for RLT, adding additional capacity and augmenting the company’s world-class 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 with a therapeutic radioisotope, enabling the delivery of radiation to the tumor with the goal of limiting damage to surrounding cells. Given the custom-made, time-sensitive nature of each RLT dose, the facility’s proximity to treatment centers is critical for ensuring timely patient access.
“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. “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.”
As the only pharmaceutical company with a dedicated commercial RLT portfolio, Novartis reinforces its global leadership in this field with the Carlsbad facility, its third US RLT manufacturing site. This facility is purpose-built to manufacture FDA-approved RLTs and has the capacity for future expansion.
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary commended Novartis for supporting US manufacturing capacity, highlighting the effectiveness of their partnership approach. The new facility not only enhances Novartis’s operational capabilities but also strengthens California’s position as a hub for life sciences innovation, creating new job opportunities in the region.
In addition to the Carlsbad facility, Novartis has announced further construction initiatives in the US, including two additional RLT manufacturing facilities in Florida and Texas, and expansions in North Carolina, Indiana, and New Jersey. These investments reflect Novartis’s commitment to the US healthcare ecosystem, with plans to invest nearly $50 billion over the next five years.
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