Switzerland-Based Novartis Breaks Ground on Radioligand Therapy Site in Denton » Dallas Innovates

Novartis breaks ground on its Denton radioligand therapy site. [Photo: Novartis]

Swiss global pharmaceutical giant Novartis recently broke ground on its new radioligand therapy (RLT) manufacturing site in Denton, part of its broader $23 billion investment in U.S. manufacturing and research.

When completed in 2028, the company’s first Texas‑based manufacturing facility will bring RLT medications closer to patients across the southern United States, becoming the fifth RLT site nationwide, Novartis said.

Novartis CEO Vas Narasimhan said radioligand therapy “is transforming how we treat cancer, and expanded manufacturing is essential to delivering these therapies at scale.”

“Breaking ground in Denton further strengthens our U.S. supply chain and helps ensure patients can receive these highly personalized treatments when and where they need them,” Narasimhan added in a statement.

The 46,000-square foot facility aims to boost Novartis’ position as the first company to deliver RLT at scale, creating the network capacity needed as these therapies extend into earlier stages of treatment and a broader range of cancers. Announced earlier this year, the Denton facility is expected to create new U.S.-based Novartis jobs in bioengineering, advanced manufacturing, quality, and operations, supporting economic growth in Denton and surrounding communities, the company said. 

Swiss ambassador, U.S. Department of Commerce official took part in groundbreaking 

Taking part in the groundbreaking in Denton were U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security Jeffrey Kessler; Swiss Ambassador to the U.S. Ralf Heckner; Texas State Senator Brent Hagenbuch; Texas State Representative Andy Hopper; and Denton Mayor Gerard Hudspeth. They joined Novartis leadership, employees, and community partners to celebrate the start of construction.

“I’m pleased to welcome Novartis to Denton as their newest manufacturing location for their cancer therapies,” Texas State Senator Brent Hagenbuch said in a statement. “Their decision establishes a strong partnership and reflects the unique opportunity Denton provides to a well-educated workforce, and the unique access the new plant location will provide to the vibrant North Texas economy and rapidly growing state population.”

Producing medications for U.S. patients in the U.S.

The Texas facility strengthens the Novartis coast-to-coast RLT manufacturing network, with existing US sites in New Jersey, Indiana and California, and another new site being added in Florida. Together, the facilities make up the largest U.S. RLT manufacturing network, further bolstering the company’s longstanding track record of enabling over 99% of doses to be administered on the planned day of treatment.

Each dose of RLT is custom-made and requires precise coordination, the company said, making manufacturing reliability and proximity to treatment centers key factors in providing timely treatment.

At the groundbreaking, Kessler said the Trump Administration “is delivering historic wins for the American people—lowering drug prices, revitalizing manufacturing, creating jobs, and attracting massive new investments. Novartis’s groundbreaking today is the latest example of the Administration’s successful policies at work.

In April 2025, Novartis said it was designating $23 billion over five years to grow its U.S. research and manufacturing footprint. Seven new and three expanded facilities across the country are already under construction—part of the company’s goal of manufacturing all key medicines for U.S. patients in the U.S, supporting supply resilience and dependable delivery of medicines.

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Novartis Begins Construction on Denton, Texas Radioligand Therapy Facility

Novartis Breaks Ground on Texas Radioligand Therapy Facility as Part of $23 Billion U.S. Expansion

Novartis has officially begun construction on a new radioligand therapy manufacturing facility in Denton, Texas, marking another major step in the pharmaceutical company’s multibillion-dollar expansion of its U.S. manufacturing and research operations.

Courtesy: photo by Furkan on pexels

The 46,000-square-foot facility will serve as Novartis’ first manufacturing site in Texas and its fifth radioligand therapy, or RLT, production site in the United States. The project is part of the company’s broader $23 billion investment strategy aimed at strengthening domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing and supply chain operations over the next five years.

Company officials said the Denton facility is expected to become operational in 2028 and will support the production of targeted cancer therapies for patients across the southern United States.

“Radioligand therapy is transforming how we treat cancer, and expanded manufacturing is essential to delivering these therapies at scale,” said Vas Narasimhan, CEO of Novartis. “Breaking ground in Denton further strengthens our US supply chain and helps ensure patients can receive these highly personalized treatments when and where they need them.”

Denton Facility Expands National Manufacturing Network

The groundbreaking ceremony included federal, state and local officials, including U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security Jeffrey Kessler, Swiss Ambassador to the U.S. Ralf Heckner, Texas State Sen. Brent Hagenbuch, Texas State Rep. Andy Hopper and Denton Mayor Gerard Hudspeth.

The new facility will support Novartis’ expanding radioligand therapy network, which already includes sites in New Jersey, Indiana and California, along with another facility planned for Florida.

According to the company, radioligand therapy manufacturing requires highly specialized production and logistics coordination because treatments are customized for individual patients and delivered within narrow treatment windows. Novartis said its current network allows more than 99% of doses to be administered on the scheduled treatment day.

The company also expects the Denton project to generate new jobs in bioengineering, manufacturing, quality assurance and operations, contributing to regional economic development in North Texas.

“I’m pleased to welcome Novartis to Denton as their newest manufacturing location for their cancer therapies,” said Texas State Senator Brent Hagenbuch. “Their decision establishes a strong partnership and reflects the unique opportunity Denton provides to a well-educated workforce, and the unique access the new plant location will provide to the vibrant North Texas economy and rapidly growing state population.”

Construction Pipeline Includes Multiple U.S. Projects

The Texas project is one of several major construction and expansion initiatives currently underway as part of Novartis’ nationwide investment program.

In recent months, the company announced or began work on projects in North Carolina, California and Florida, including a biomedical research center in San Diego and a new manufacturing facility in Winter Park, Florida. The company also continues to expand existing RLT operations in Indianapolis and Millburn, New Jersey.

Novartis said the ongoing investments are intended to support domestic manufacturing of key medicines while improving supply chain resilience and treatment access.

Radioligand therapy has become a growing area of focus for pharmaceutical manufacturers because the technology targets cancer cells with radioactive compounds designed to minimize damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Novartis said it is currently studying the use of RLTs for several forms of cancer, including prostate, breast, lung, colon, pancreatic and brain cancers.

The company described its U.S. expansion as part of a long-term strategy to scale manufacturing capacity alongside the continued development of its oncology pipeline and emerging treatment technologies.

Originally reported by Novartis Pharma AG in Yahoo Finance.

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