National designation reinforces Indiana’s global leadership in radiopharmaceutical innovation, manufacturing, and supply chain infrastructure.
INDIANAPOLIS (July 21, 2025) — Indiana has secured the title of Radiopharmaceutical Capital of the World® from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, solidifying the state’s global leadership in the rapidly growing field of precision medicine. Powered by a robust and highly specialized talent pool, unmatched logistics infrastructure, world-class research institutions, and geographically central location, Indiana serves as a critical nucleus for the rapidly growing radiopharmaceutical sector that is transforming oncology for patients and providers.
Radiopharmaceuticals are drugs that contain, among other ingredients, radioisotopes. Depending on the type of radiation those radioisotopes produce, they can be used to diagnose or treat several medical conditions, including cancer and hyperthyroidism. Beyond its deep FDA-savvy talent pool, Indiana’s radiopharmaceutical leadership is anchored by specialized isotope production facilities, integrated clean rooms and cyclotrons, and a globally connected logistics network enabling access to 80% of the U.S. population within a day’s drive. Indiana serves as the only U.S. supplier of four critical radioisotopes essential for diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
Recognizing the strength and momentum of Indiana’s radiopharmaceutical sector, BioCrossroads led the effort to secure the official Radiopharmaceutical Capital of the World® designation through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, a milestone that further reinforces the state’s global leadership.
“Indiana’s designation as the Radiopharmaceutical Capital of the World® is a testament to the strength of our life sciences ecosystem, the innovation of our researchers, and the collaborative spirit that drives us forward,” said Vince Wong, President and CEO of BioCrossroads. “We’ll leverage this fitting title to further elevate Indiana as a center of excellence in this exciting, dynamic area of medicine that is helping transform the standard of care to the benefit of patients throughout the world.”
Indiana’s radiopharmaceutical leadership is fueled by major academic and industry collaborations. In the past two years, global companies have made significant moves to expand their presence and capabilities in the state. Eli Lilly and Company continues to grow its radioligand therapy portfolio as part of its broader oncology strategy, building on its acquisition of POINT Biopharma and leveraging Indiana’s strengths in development and manufacturing. Novartis is expanding access to advanced treatments like Pluvicto as it deepens its U.S. radiopharmaceutical footprint. RayzeBio, now part of Bristol Myers Squibb following a $4.1 billion acquisition, recently celebrated the opening of its targeted radiopharmaceutical therapy facility in Indiana. The state is also home to a growing number of innovators including AZIsotopes, Oranomed, Curium, Telix Pharmaceuticals, and others, together reinforcing Indiana’s position as a national hub for next-generation precision medicine.
Purdue University’s nationally leading radiopharmaceutical pharmacy program and Indiana University School of Medicine’s top-ranked NIH-funded radiology research continue to anchor academic excellence. Purdue is expanding its impact even further with a first-of-its-kind graduate degree in radiopharmaceutical manufacturing launching in Indianapolis in spring 2026. Developed in partnership with SpectronRx, the program will offer hybrid coursework and hands-on training at a dedicated facility co-located at the company’s headquarters, addressing critical workforce needs in this rapidly growing field.
“This program reflects Purdue’s commitment to aligning academic innovation with industry demand,” said Dr. David Umulis, Senior Vice Provost for Purdue University in Indianapolis. “By equipping the next generation of radiopharmaceutical professionals, we’re helping Indiana strengthen its position as a global leader in precision medicine.”
“Indiana’s life sciences sector continues to accelerate because of our commitment to innovation, collaboration, and execution,” said Dan Peterson, Chair of the BioCrossroads Board of Directors and Vice President of Industry and Government Affairs at Cook Group. “This designation highlights the extraordinary progress we’ve made and the extraordinary opportunities ahead.”
This new title builds on Indiana’s accelerating momentum in life sciences. In 2024, Indiana overtook California to become the #1 state in life sciences exports, in addition to leading the nation in pharmaceutical exports. As the Radiopharmaceutical Capital of the World®, Indiana is poised to continue leading the next generation of therapeutic and diagnostic advancements, strengthening its impact on global health, economic development, and innovation.
Learn more about Indiana’s leadership in radiopharmaceuticals at BioCrossroads.com.
About BioCrossroads
Established as a catalyst to advance, grow, and invest in Indiana’s life sciences sector, BioCrossroads is an initiative of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP). It supports the region’s existing enterprises and encourages new business development. The initiative fosters public-private collaboration by uniting a diverse range of academic, industry, and philanthropic stakeholders, all collectively focused on advancing Indiana’s life sciences sector. Committed to supporting the growth of capital investments and talent development, BioCrossroads provides support to both existing and new life sciences enterprises, including the Indiana Health Information Exchange, OrthoWorx, and the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute. BioCrossroads champions the advancement of cutting-edge research and development, plays a crucial role in building and nurturing a robust talent pipeline, and is dedicated to establishing Indiana as a thriving hub for life sciences manufacturing. To learn more about BioCrossroads, visit biocrossroads.com.
