Radiopharmaceuticals in 2026: overview
Radiopharmaceuticals are medicines that carry radioactive isotopes to image biological processes or deliver radiation to diseased tissue. Their value lies in connecting target expression with treatment: PET or SPECT can reveal whether a molecular target is present, while a matched therapeutic isotope can irradiate it. In oncology, this makes radiotheranostics a route to more selective treatment, but performance still depends on target uptake, tumor retention, organ exposure, isotope availability and reliable production.
Recent work is pushing on both delivery and commercial development. An October 2026 study from Fujian Medical University and collaborators described an in-situ molecular-fortifying agent intended to keep radiopharmaceuticals in tumors longer, addressing a key dose-limiting problem. In September 2026, BoomRay Pharmaceuticals and Novartis signed an exclusive worldwide license for a preclinical radioligand asset. Together, these developments point toward retention engineering and pipeline expansion, alongside research into targets such as FAP and CXCR4 and continued attention to dosimetry and normal-organ toxicity.
- 1Retention matters: Researchers are tackling rapid tumor clearance because keeping radiopharmaceuticals at the target can improve delivered dose without increasing exposure elsewhere.
- 2Pairs drive precision: Theranostic isotope pairs connect imaging with treatment, while new targets and dual-target ligands seek to address tumor heterogeneity.
- 3Supply shapes scale: Manufacturing capacity and dependable isotope supply remain essential to translating promising radioligand therapies into routine clinical use.
Top organizations working on radiopharmaceuticals
Ranked by Linknovate activity score · last 24 monthsThe activity score adds up the relevance of every patent, publication, grant and news item linking an organization to radiopharmaceuticals. Showing 7 of 3,000 organizations.
| # | Organization | Approach | Signals (24 mo) | Momentum | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Other · United States |
PET imaging agents | PUB 11 · NEWS 1,091 | -55% | Recently, the FDA approved Telix’s F-18 floretyrosine PET agent Pixclara for imaging recurrent or progressive glioma, alongside other clinical information. |
| 2 | 
Novartis
Corporate · Switzerland |
Beta-emitter therapies | PAT 21 · PUB 56 NEWS 697 |
-32% | Recently, Novartis signed a worldwide licensing deal with BoomRay for a preclinical radioligand therapy asset, expanding its radiopharmaceutical pipeline. Its marketed portfolio includes lutetium-177 therapies for neuroendocrine and prostate cancers. |
| 3 | 
MayoClinic
Research · United States |
Beta-emitter therapies | PAT 4 · PUB 238 NEWS 62 |
+5% | Mayo Clinic research examines PRRT’s kidney effects and treatment burden, including outcomes for patients receiving lutetium-177 PSMA therapy. |
| 4 | 
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Research · United States |
Theranostic isotope pairs | PAT 6 · PUB 212 NEWS 26 |
-8% | Memorial Sloan Kettering researchers study radiotheranostic approaches, including a dual-labeled probe for immunoPET imaging and radioimmunotherapy and the use of emerging therapeutic isotopes. |
| 5 | CA
Chinese Academy of Medical Seiences & Peking Unian Medical College
Research · China |
Theranostic isotope pairs | PUB 215 | +47% | Researchers associated with the academy are developing paired imaging and therapy agents, including gallium-68/lutetium-177 ligands for CAIX-positive renal cancer and integrin-targeted radiotheranostics. |
| 6 | 
Bayer AG
Corporate · Germany |
General | PAT 11 · PUB 25 NEWS 316 |
-54% | Recently, Bayer filed patents covering radionuclide imaging agents that target GPC3 and radiopharmaceutical complexes, spanning diagnostic and therapeutic applications. |
| 7 | 
Eli Lilly and Company
Corporate · United States |
Beta-emitter therapies | PAT 1 · PUB 22 NEWS 349 |
-41% | Eli Lilly is building a radiopharmaceutical pipeline through its acquisition of Point Biopharma, including radioligand therapies for cancer. |
| 8 | ··Hidden organizationCompany | Approach | PAT 00 · PUB 00 GRANTS 0 · NEWS 00 | +00% | Available to registered users. |
| 9 | ··Hidden organizationCompany | Approach | PAT 00 · PUB 00 GRANTS 0 · NEWS 00 | +00% | Available to registered users. |
| 10 | ··Hidden organizationCompany | Approach | PAT 00 · PUB 00 GRANTS 0 · NEWS 00 | +00% | Available to registered users. |
Startups to watch and leading research centers
Startups to watch 34 total
Aktis OncologyUnited StatesAktis Oncology is developing targeted radiopharmaceuticals for solid tumors, using engineered targeting agents intended to deliver therapeutic radiation to tumors.
BAMF Health LLCUnited StatesBAMF Health develops cyclotron-equipped radiopharmacies and clinics, supporting local production and delivery of radiopharmaceuticals for imaging and treatment.
PrecirixBelgiumPrecirix develops targeted radiopharmaceuticals using single-domain antibodies, with research spanning antibody-based PET tracers and radionuclide therapy.- ··Hidden startupCountryAvailable to registered users, with funding and founding year.
- ··Hidden startupCountryAvailable to registered users, with funding and founding year.
Leading research institutions 2,467 total
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterUnited StatesMemorial Sloan Kettering researchers study radiotheranostic approaches, including a dual-labeled probe for immunoPET imaging and radioimmunotherapy and the use of emerging therapeutic isotopes.
- CAChinese Academy of Medical Seiences & Peking Unian Medical CollegeChinaResearchers associated with the academy are developing paired imaging and therapy agents, including gallium-68/lutetium-177 ligands for CAIX-positive renal cancer and integrin-targeted radiotheranostics.
Fudan UniversityChinaFudan-affiliated researchers develop radiotheranostic agents, including a lutetium-177-labeled HER2-targeting conjugate and an EphA2 PET tracer advancing toward first-in-human study.- ··Hidden research institutionCountryAvailable to registered users, with their key researchers.
- ··Hidden research institutionCountryAvailable to registered users, with their key researchers.
Where radiopharmaceuticals innovation happens
Share of documents with at least one organization from each country.
Open the interactive map with all 3,000 organizationsMain technical approaches
Last 24 months| Approach | What it is | Documents | Leading organizations |
|---|---|---|---|
| PET imaging agents | PET agents use positron-emitting tracers to map biological targets; they offer sensitive whole-body imaging but depend on isotope access and timely production. | 4,728 |
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Chinese Academy of Medical Seiences & Peking Unian Medical College, Spect Inc. |
| SPECT imaging agents | SPECT agents use gamma-emitting isotopes to visualize distribution and function; they can support practical imaging workflows but generally offer lower spatial resolution than PET. | 960 |
Spect Inc., General Electric, Novartis |
| Beta-emitter therapies | Beta emitters deliver radiation over a relatively longer tissue range, which can treat nearby tumor cells but may increase exposure to surrounding healthy tissue. | 3,424 |
Novartis, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Eli Lilly and Company |
| Alpha-emitter therapies | Alpha emitters deliver highly localized, high-energy radiation over a short range; their potency is attractive, but isotope supply and safety management are demanding. | 1,502 |
Novartis, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Bayer AG |
| Theranostic isotope pairs | Theranostic pairs use related molecules for imaging and treatment; they can guide patient selection, but matched agents must show consistent targeting and biodistribution. | 2,073 |
Novartis, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Telix Pharmaceuticals |
Emerging trends
Last 12 months vs previous 36 monthsTerms whose frequency in the last 12 months grew the most compared with the previous 36 months.
Funding and investment
Recent funding rounds
Since 2020, the field has received $211.4 million across 145 grants. The funding-round data is broad, so these grant figures are the clearest available view of dedicated support.
Patent landscape
Top patent holders · last 24 monthsRecent developments
Latest news, duplicates removed- Oct 2026Newswise — A research team led by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) has developed a new imaging technique that could allow modern medical scanners to image targeted alpha therapy (TAT), an emerging…Newswise Feature Channel: Engineering
- Sep 2026In this episode of Denatured presented by Curium, Jennifer Smith-Parker speaks to Mike Patterson, CEO North America and Professor Sabine Brookman-May, vice president and head of Global Clinical Development. We look at…Article List RSS
- Sep 2026Dublin, Sept. 18, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- "Theranostics Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast (2026-2036)" has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The…GlobeNewswire - Research Analysis And Reports
- Jul 2026- Lumara Bio brings together ITM's existing pipeline of early- and late-stage radiopharmaceutical therapies, including lead drug candidate 177Lu-edotreotide (ITM-11), into a single, dedicated division - New drug…GlobeNewswire - Industry News on Health Care
- Month 20XXHidden developmentAvailable to registered users with alerts enabled.
Frequently asked questions about radiopharmaceuticals
What companies are working on radiopharmaceuticals?
Novartis, Bayer AG, Eli Lilly and Company, Telix Pharmaceuticals and AstraZeneca are among the companies active in radiopharmaceuticals. Their work spans marketed radioligand therapies, pipeline development, imaging agents and targeted alpha therapies. Novartis also signed a worldwide licensing deal with BoomRay Pharmaceuticals for a preclinical radioligand therapy asset in September 2026.
Which radiopharmaceuticals startups are promising in 2026?
Aktis Oncology, BAMF Health and Precirix are three startups working in distinct areas of radiopharmaceuticals. Aktis Oncology develops targeted agents for solid tumors; BAMF Health builds cyclotron-equipped radiopharmacies and clinics; Precirix uses single-domain antibodies in imaging and therapy research. Their approaches address drug targeting, local production and delivery.
Who are the main radiopharmaceutical manufacturers or suppliers?
Novartis, Telix Pharmaceuticals, GE Healthcare, Curium and Eckert & Ziegler are among the organizations involved in manufacturing, production platforms or supply. Novartis is expanding radioligand therapy manufacturing, while GE Healthcare supports PET production through its cyclotron platforms. In October 2026, Eckert & Ziegler Brazil partnered with TerThera to secure terbium-161 supply.
Which universities and research centers lead radiopharmaceuticals research?
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Fudan University and the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College are active in radiotheranostics research. Memorial Sloan Kettering studies dual-labeled probes and emerging therapeutic isotopes; Fudan researchers develop HER2-targeting conjugates and PET tracers; the Chinese academy works on paired imaging and therapy agents.
How much funding has radiopharmaceuticals received?
Radiopharmaceuticals have received $211.4 million across 145 grants since 2020. This aggregate captures grant support rather than all commercial investment. The available funding-round figures are not specific enough to identify a reliable total for radiopharmaceutical-focused financing, so the grant total is the clearest dedicated funding measure in the data.
Who holds the most radiopharmaceuticals patents?
Novartis holds the most patents among the listed holders, with 21. Jubilant Draximage Inc. follows with 17, while RayzeBio Inc. holds 12. Johns Hopkins University, Curium Inc., Curadel Surgical Innovations Inc. and NUCLIDIUM each have 11 listed patents.
Is radiopharmaceuticals patent activity growing?
Patent activity declined 32.8% in the last 12 months compared with the previous 12 months, while publications grew 4.4%. The data records 1,194 patents in the 24-month window. This contrast suggests that research output remains active even as patenting has slowed over the latest year.
What are the latest developments in radiopharmaceuticals?
Recent developments include a tumor-retention strategy and a new radioligand licensing deal. In October 2026, researchers from Fujian Medical University and collaborators reported an in-situ molecular-fortifying agent intended to improve tumor retention. In September 2026, BoomRay Pharmaceuticals and Novartis signed an exclusive worldwide license for a preclinical radioligand therapy asset.
What are the applications of radiopharmaceuticals?
Oncology is the largest listed application, with 6,353 documents, followed by neurology with 1,313 and thyroid and endocrine disease with 973. Other applications include cardiovascular medicine, infection and inflammation. Radiopharmaceuticals support diagnostic imaging as well as targeted treatment, with oncology research focused on radioligand therapy and radionuclide delivery.
What are the main approaches in radiopharmaceuticals and how do they differ?
The main approaches are PET imaging agents, SPECT imaging agents, beta-emitter therapies, alpha-emitter therapies and theranostic isotope pairs. PET and SPECT agents visualize biological targets; beta and alpha emitters deliver therapeutic radiation with different tissue ranges. Theranostic pairs link imaging and treatment around a shared molecular target, helping inform patient selection.