Among them, Novartis has attracted much attention in the field of nuclear medicine. It is reported that on November 13th, Novartis' application for the launch of a nuclear drug, lutetium [177Lu] tocilizide injection (Pluvicto), in China was also accepted. It is reported that the drug was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat prostate cancer patients in March 2022. Its sales in the first three quarters of 2024 have exceeded $1 billion, and its annual sales in 2023 were $980 million.

 

 

 

According to the data, Pluvicto is a radioligand therapy that combines small molecule compounds targeting PSMA with radioactive isotopes (177Lu). It can bind to prostate cancer cells expressing PSMA, and 177Lu can release beta rays, playing a precise targeted role in killing tumors. Due to the fact that the radiation released by Pluvicto can only work over a short distance, it limits the damage of the drug to surrounding healthy cells.

 

 

 

Nuclear drugs, represented by radioligand therapy, are a field that Novartis is heavily investing in. It is reported that in addition to Pluvicto, Novartis also has a nuclear drug Lutathera approved for marketing, which is used for adult patients with somatostatin receptor positive (SSTR+) gastrointestinal and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, and later approved for pediatric patients aged 12 and above. Lutathera's sales reached $605 million in 2023, with sales of $534 million for the first three quarters of 2024.

 

 

 

In addition, in the field of nuclear medicine, Novartis has recently made new developments. It is reported that on November 18th, Ratio Therapeutics announced a global exclusive licensing and cooperation agreement with Novartis. This collaboration utilizes Ratio's expertise in radioligand therapy discovery and development, as well as its technology platform, to develop targeted somatostatin receptor 2 (SSTR2) radiopharmaceuticals for the treatment of cancer.

 

 

 

According to the terms of the agreement, Ratio will receive up to $745 million in advance payments and potential milestone payments, and is eligible for tiered royalty payments. Ratio will collaborate with Novartis to drive preclinical activities, research, and select SSTR2 targeted candidate drugs. Novartis will be responsible for all remaining development, production, and commercialization activities.

 

 

 

Radiopharmaceuticals have a unique feature of "integrated diagnosis and treatment". They can use the same tumor biomarker as a target, and use radioligand imaging (RLI) technology targeting that target to search and locate tumor lesions. Then, through radioligand therapy (RLT) drugs targeting that target, they can accurately strike cancer cells, with advantages such as precision, high efficiency, and minimal side effects. In recent years, they have been highly regarded by the industry.

 

 

 

According to industry insiders, radioligand therapy (RLT) has become one of Novartis' five major technology platforms, along with chemotherapy, biotherapy, gene and cell therapy, and xRNA therapy. Entering 2024, Novartis continues to strengthen its layout in the RLT field, and has completed the acquisition of Mariana Oncology and its nuclear drug pipeline for $1.75 billion, as well as expanding its cooperation with PeptiDream in peptide discovery for $2.99 billion. In China, Novartis has initiated multiple clinical trials of RLT therapy, covering both back-end and front-line prostate cancer treatment, as well as other early-stage pipeline products.