India Pharma Outlook Team | Monday, 15 June 2026
India has gained access to a globally acclaimed prostate cancer therapy with the launch of Pluvicto by Novartis.
The company announced the introduction of Pluvicto in India for eligible patients with advanced prostate cancer, marking a significant step in expanding access to precision oncology treatments in the country.
The launch of Pluvicto is expected to strengthen treatment options for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), a stage of the disease that continues to progress despite hormone therapy.
The radioligand therapy has been designed to target cancer cells more precisely and is already being used in several international markets. With the India launch, Novartis aims to bring advanced cancer care closer to patients while supporting the growth of the country's nuclear medicine ecosystem.
Amitabh Dube, Country President and MD Novartis India, said, "a large proportion of prostate cancer patients continue to be diagnosed only after the disease has progressed to a metastatic stage ... With the launch of Pluvicto, we are bringing a globally recognized radioligand therapy platform at a time when the need for precision oncology solutions is increasing rapidly."
Pluvicto is a radioligand therapy (RLT) that combines a targeting molecule with the radioactive isotope lutetium-177. The treatment identifies and binds to prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), a protein found on prostate cancer cells, and delivers radiation directly to those cells.
This targeted approach helps reduce exposure to surrounding healthy tissue while attacking cancer cells.
Key highlights of Pluvicto include:
The therapy has gained attention worldwide as radiopharmaceutical treatments become an increasingly important part of cancer care.
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The launch comes at a time when prostate cancer cases are rising globally, increasing the demand for innovative treatment options. Patients with advanced prostate cancer often face limited choices once standard hormone-based therapies stop working.
Pluvicto is intended for patients whose disease has progressed despite conventional treatment. In international markets, the therapy has demonstrated benefits for eligible patients and has expanded the role of radioligand therapies in oncology.
Industry experts view the India launch as an important milestone because it introduces a globally recognized precision treatment into the country's healthcare system. It also aligns with the growing focus on personalized medicine, where therapies are tailored to specific disease characteristics.
The introduction of radioligand therapies requires specialized infrastructure, including manufacturing capabilities, radioisotope handling facilities, advanced imaging systems, and trained nuclear medicine professionals.
As a result, the launch is expected to contribute to the development of India's radiopharmaceutical and nuclear medicine capabilities. Increased availability of such therapies could encourage further investments in advanced oncology infrastructure across the country.
Novartis has identified radioligand therapy as a key area of focus within its oncology portfolio and continues to invest in next-generation cancer treatments globally.
The company believes India is an important market for innovation-driven healthcare and is working to expand access to advanced therapies for patients with serious diseases.
Novartis is a global pharmaceutical company focused on innovative medicines across multiple therapeutic areas, including oncology, cardiovascular diseases, immunology, neuroscience, and rare diseases. Headquartered in Switzerland, the company operates in more than 100 countries and invests heavily in research and development to advance healthcare innovation.
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