Novartis has moved to strengthen its position in radioligand therapy, signing a global licensing deal with BoomRay Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. The agreement gives Novartis exclusive worldwide rights to a preclinical therapy. BoomRay could receive up to $900 million in milestone payments, along with royalties on future sales. This marks another big step for Novartis in precision oncology.
As of the latest reporting, neither the target, isotope, nor indication for the licensed radioligand therapy asset has been made public.
BoomRay’s CEO, Bo Shan, called the deal a major milestone. "We are honored and excited to enter into this agreement with Novartis, a recognized global leader in radioligand therapies, with an exceptional track record in delivering transformative medicines to patients," Shan said. He said the agreement validates BoomRay’s science and could speed up patient access worldwide.
Novartis is betting even more on radioligand therapies. Shiva Malek, Global Head of Oncology, Biomedical Research at Novartis, said, "Radioligand therapies represent an important frontier in oncology, and at Novartis, we remain focused on driving breakthrough science that can expand their potential for patients." Malek said the BoomRay deal fits with Novartis’s growing radioligand portfolio and shows its push to combine outside innovation with its own R&D.
Novartis has made radioligand therapy a core focus of its oncology platform, with the BoomRay deal reflecting intensifying competition in the RLT space as major pharmaceutical companies seek to expand their portfolios.
This deal shows Novartis is not standing still with its current radioligand lineup. By locking in global rights to a new preclinical therapy, Novartis is aiming to shape the next wave of precision cancer treatments. For BoomRay, the partnership brings both validation and a clear commercial path. It is proof that new science from China can draw global attention and investment. The size of the deal and the companies involved make this one of the year’s biggest licensing agreements in radiopharmaceuticals.
