Oman Launches First Local Production Project for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Radiopharmaceuticals

Recently, Oman officially launched its first local production project for diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals. Named “Nucleus Oman,” the project has a planned total investment of 6.5 million Omani Rials (approximately USD 17 million) and is being jointly advanced by the Oman Investment Authority (OIA) and Saudi Arabia's Oryx Isotopes Industry Company, with strong coordination and support from Oman's Ministry of Health and Ministry of Finance.

The project adopts an overall public-private partnership (PPP) model. The joint venture entity established by the Oman Investment Authority and Oryx Isotopes Industry Company will fully undertake the development, construction, and subsequent operation of the project in accordance with a long-term agreement formally signed with Oman's Ministry of Health. In terms of facility layout, the production plant is planned to be divided into two core units—diagnostic and therapeutic—respectively supplying radiopharmaceuticals for nuclear medicine imaging and advanced targeted radionuclide therapy.

In addition to the core production units, the project also includes a secondary standard dosimetry laboratory designed to provide high-precision calibration services for various radiation measurement devices widely used in the medical and industrial fields. Meanwhile, supporting R&D and training facilities will focus on collaborative development of novel targeted drugs and provide systematic personnel training for professional positions in production, metrology, and research and development.

Given that certain radiopharmaceuticals are characterized by short transport windows and extremely short half-lives, localized production aims to fundamentally shorten the supply chain, thereby creating favorable conditions for hospitals and medical centers across the country to further expand nuclear medicine diagnostic and therapeutic services. At the current stage, the project has formally signed cooperation agreements and held a public launch ceremony; the specific product catalog and production start date are subject to subsequent disclosure by the operator.