Niowave is constructing a new isotope production facility in Lansing, Michigan, US, to expand domestic manufacturing capacity for actinium‑225 (Ac‑225), a key isotope used in the development of targeted oncology treatments.
The company has committed $75m to the project. Construction on the facility commenced in May 2026 and operations are scheduled to begin in 2028.
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The development is expected to generate around 70 highly skilled positions across research and development, engineering and quality assurance, contributing to Michigan’s growing base in advanced manufacturing and life sciences.
To support the project, the Port Lansing Next Michigan Development Corporation (NMDC) approved the creation of an Industrial Development District and granted Niowave a Public Act 198 Industrial Facilities Tax Exemption.
Location
The new facility is being developed on Niowave’s campus in the Port Lansing District, at the Capital Region International Airport (LAN) in Michigan. It represents the company’s second dedicated production site in the city.
The site is in proximity to Michigan State University and the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams.
Niowave isotope production facility details
The new isotope production facility will incorporate six proprietary superconducting linear accelerators, together with advanced processing and quality systems, to support consistent and scalable production of Ac‑225 beyond 175 curies per year.
Niowave’s superconducting linear accelerators are proprietary systems that are designed, constructed and operated in‑house, drawing on several decades of internal development. The technology is based on early accelerator science and has been progressively adapted for medical isotope production.
The accelerator technologies build on scientific principles that have been demonstrated and validated over many years in national laboratories. Niowave translated this foundation into a compact, commercially deployable platform specifically configured to produce medical isotopes.
In February 2026, Niowave announced the completion of factory acceptance testing for its second superconducting linear accelerator, which is scheduled for installation at the new facility.
Ac-225 isotope details
Ac‑225 is an alpha‑emitting radioisotope that plays a central role in targeted alpha therapy and radiopharmaceutical therapies designed to destroy tumour cells with high precision while limiting damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
The short‑range, high‑energy alpha emissions of Ac‑225 enable highly localised cellular damage, positioning Ac‑225 as a candidate for investigational therapies aimed at prostate cancer, neuroendocrine tumours, leukaemia and other hard‑to‑treat indications.
The clinical potential of Ac‑225 has progressed rapidly, yet availability is still constrained and expanding production is difficult.
Niowave produces Ac‑225 with high radiochemical purity using its proprietary accelerator platform, supported by integrated radiochemistry capabilities and current good manufacturing practice-compliant operations. This configuration is intended to enable controlled production and consistent product quality as demand scales.
The company is already supplying Ac-225 to research organisations, pharmaceutical innovators and clinical collaborators globally. The company’s contribution helps support clinical studies, speed up the development of new treatments, and help establish the commercial-scale isotope supply chain needed for the next wave of precision oncology.
Niowave entered into seven Ac‑225 supply agreements between 2022 and 2025, including a ten‑year Ac‑225 supply agreement with AstraZeneca in December 2025.
In February 2026, Niowave entered into a long‑term agreement with Novartis for the supply of Ac‑225. Under the deal, Novartis will gain access to an expandable supply of the isotope to underpin the continued expansion of its radioligand therapy pipeline.
Contractors involved
Construction of the facility will be managed by the Christman Company, a commercial construction management company, in partnership with Colliers Engineering & Design, an engineering, architectural, design and consulting services provider.
Marketing commentary on Niowave
Founded in 2005, Niowave develops and operates superconducting electron linear accelerators and advances radiochemistry processes for medical isotope production.
Based in Lansing, Michigan, the company supplies Ac‑225 and other isotopes for use in emerging cancer therapies, with a focus on providing reliable and scalable isotope production.
The Lansing campus houses Niowave’s headquarters and existing production facility, which is equipped with its superconducting linear accelerator and radiochemical processing systems. The facility operates continuously to support isotope generation, material handling and initial processing within controlled environments.
