Radiopharmaceuticals and theranostics are revolutionizing precision medicine by offering targeted diagnostic and therapeutic options that conventional drugs cannot match. By combining radioactive isotopes with targeting molecules, these agents enable real-time disease visualization and precise radiation delivery to diseased cells, minimizing harm to healthy tissue. With growing applications in oncology, cardiology and neurology, radiopharmaceuticals are enhancing early detection and personalized treatment, empowering clinicians to make more informed decisions and supporting drug developers to bring innovative therapies to patients.
There are many considerations when developing a radiopharmaceutical, especially when you consider the complex interplay of biology, chemistry, nuclear physics and regulatory oversight. These agents must be precisely engineered to target specific tissues while carrying short-lived radioactive isotopes—placing stringent time constraints on their manufacturing, quality control and distribution.
At Labcorp, we speak radioactivity.With more than 10 years of experience and specialized global facilities, we provide the insights and infrastructure required for safe handling of radioactive material according to regulatory standards.
Supported 10 preclinical biodistribution or Met ID studies at our 3 global sites in the past 2 years
Supported ~20 bioanalysis radiopharmaceutical programs at our 5 global regulated LC-MS BioA sites over the past 3 years
Supporting 6 ongoing clinical trials, including radioactivity analysis for PK, near real-time analysis
Developing radiopharmaceuticals remains complex and resource-intensive. Consider Labcorp for a multidisciplinary approach, integrated development pathway and robust infrastructure to bring your life-changing radiopharmaceuticals from concept to clinic.
Discovery
Preclinical
Bioanalytical Services
Clinical Trial Support
We specialize in end-to-end radiopharmaceutical development solutions, helping your program to meet both time-sensitive delivery needs and stringent licensing requirements. From managing short-lived isotopes to coordinating with licensed transport partners and regulatory bodies, our integrated approach minimizes delays and maximizes efficiency.
Radiopharmaceuticals are essential in oncology for precise diagnosis and targeted treatment. Through imaging techniques like PET and SPECT, they enable early tumor detection while delivering radiation directly to cancer cells to minimize damage to healthy tissue. This targeted approach enhances treatment effectiveness, reduces side effects and plays a key role in personalized cancer care.
To advance your radiopharmaceutical for cancer, trust in Labcorp for better, fast, more efficient development.
Each preclinical site is regulated either by the national equivalent of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission or by the respective jurisdiction by delegated responsibility. Our Madison WI site has 31 radiolabels on its site license.
Each regional central laboratory location adheres to global IATA standards and regulations (e.g., couriers and shipping requirements), along with licensing and regulatory approval requirements from their local authorities, to process and handle radioactive samples (e.g., RPO, NRC, IAEA).
Our sites are approved to handle many of the most common isotopes used for diagnostic imaging and therapeutics (e.g., 225Ac, 177Lu, 212Pb, 203Pb, 111In).
We have more than 420 human and murine tumor models, including 300+ patient-derived xenograft models. Access the list of our models here.
To determine if samples are < or > 1 LA, the following is required:
