We need more radioactive drugs. Can we make them from nuclear waste?

image via New Scientist

April 22, 2026, 4:00 PM

• •Radioligand therapy, a targeted approach to cancer treatment, is gaining momentum, leading to increased demand for radioisotopes.
• •Companies are exploring various methods to produce isotopes, including extracting them from nuclear waste, abandoned sources, and using fusion technology.
• •Actinium-225 and lead-212 are promising alpha-emitting isotopes, but their production is challenging and expensive.
• •Several companies are investing in the research and development of these new isotopes and production methods.

The rise of radioligand therapy, a new approach to cancer treatment, is driving a surge in demand for specific radioactive isotopes. Companies are racing to refine these isotopes, primarily from nuclear waste, to meet the anticipated needs of the burgeoning radiopharmaceutical market, with billions of dollars being invested by big pharmaceutical companies. The development of alpha-emitting isotopes, such as actinium-225 and lead-212, is particularly promising, but their scarcity and complex production pose significant challenges. This has led to innovative approaches like extracting isotopes from abandoned sources and using compact fusion systems to produce these vital medical materials.

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