Lutetium-177 (Lu-177) Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (High Specific Activity Lutetium-177 and Low Specific Activity Lutetium-177), By Application (Nuclear Therapy and Diagnosis), and Regional Forecast to 2033

LUTETIUM-177 (Lu-177) MARKET OVERVIEW

The global Lutetium-177 (Lu-177) market size expanded rapidly in 2023 and the market is projected to grow substantially by 2029, exhibiting a prodigious CAGR during the forecast period.

Lutetium-177 (Lu-177) is a radioactive isotope often used in treatment of neuroendocrine tumors and prostate cancer. While Lu-177 helps to kill tumors, its gamma photons let clinicians monitor the therapy in real time. Due to the two different ways it can be used, it is perfect for theragnostic. Generally, the helper molecules target certain molecules or antibodies that attach just to cancer cells, sparing normal cells around them.

Lu-177 is useful in therapy since it decays quickly, after about 6.7 days, but is stable enough to stay in the body for treatment. Lutetium-176 may become radium-223 either by neutron activation or by the radioactive decay of ytterbium-177. Therapies using Lu-177 such as Lutathera and Pluvicto, have received permission to be used and are now helping patients with advanced or inoperable tumors. Because it has worked so well, doctors are researching ways to use it for other types of cancer.

GLOBAL CRISES IMPACTING LUTETIUM-177 (Lu-177) MARKET

COVID-19 IMPACT

Lutetium-177 (Lu-177) Industry Had a Negative Effect Due to Disruption of Global Logistics during COVID-19 Pandemic

The global COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and staggering, with the market experiencing lower-than-anticipated demand across all regions compared to pre-pandemic levels. The sudden market growth reflected by the rise in CAGR is attributable to the market’s growth and demand returning to pre-pandemic levels.

Due to travel and flight restrictions and disruptions in shipping, it became difficult to have this short-lived isotope reach patients and laboratories in time for use. Because Lu-177 decays quickly, any disruption in transport may result in an unsuccessful use of the medicine or its expiration.

Much of the non-critical cancer treatments with Lu-177 were put off or given less priority so that hospitals could handle fewer patients and so the patients would not risk exposure to the virus. As a result, patients with neuroendocrine and prostate cancers were diagnosed and treated later than usual. Still, the pandemic showed that having strong and local distribution for radiopharmaceuticals is necessary. Hence, there are higher investments now in region-based facilities and better ways to handle isotopes to help with any future public health crisis.

LATEST TREND

Radiopharmaceuticals are the Emergence to Drive Market Growth

There have been notable developments in the market which has the potential to boost the Lutetium-177 (Lu-177) market share. Several malignancies, especially those affecting prostate, breast, lung, GIST and glioblastoma, often have high levels of GRPR. The use of 177Lu-NeoB allows a beta radiation-carrying antagonist to target the tumors while not harming healthy organs. This strategy is aided by its imaging cousin, 68Ga-NeoB which is used to identify patients and monitor their response to therapy. In May 2025, phase studies for 177Lu-NeoB are evaluating whether it is safe, tolerable and shows anti-tumor effects in those with GRPR on their cancer cells.

LUTETIUM-177 (Lu-177) MARKET SEGMENTATION

BY TYPE

Based on Type, the global market can be categorized into High Specific Activity Lutetium-177 and Low Specific Activity Lutetium-177.

High Specific Activity Lutetium-177: Lutetium-177 with high specific activity is created indirectly, targeting ytterbium-176 materials. Because only a tiny amount of stable Lu-176 is produced, this makes Lu-177 an excellent choice for receptor-targeted treatments that want high radionuclide labeling efficiency.

Low Specific Activity Lutetium-177: Low specific activity lutetium-177 is obtained through neutron irradiation of lutetium-176, and it is a mixture of Lu-177 and stable Lu-176. While packaging of this sort is easier to do and set up, it is much more difficult to label.. 

BY APPLICATION

Based on application, the global market can be categorized into Nuclear Therapy and Diagnosis.

Nuclear Therapy: In Nuclear Therapy, drugs are delivered to the site and made radioactive with Lu-177 or Ra-223 in order to kill cancer cells. It treats tumors without any substantial damage to the nearby healthy tissue.

Diagnosis: In Nuclear Diagnosis, few quantities of radioactive material are injected there to see organ activity or to detect disease via PET or SPECT. This gives an advantage in quickly locating and identifying cancer, heart diseases, and brain disorders. 

MARKET DYNAMICS

DRIVING FACTORS

Rising Cancer Incidence Worldwide to Boost the Market

There are several elements inspiring the Lutetium-177 (Lu-177) market growth. Increasing numbers of patients with NETs and mCRPC everywhere is the primary factor. Both Lutathera and Pluvicto, relying on Lu-177, safely and exactly target prostate cancer when compared to usual chemotherapy. Medical specialists are now often providing both diagnosis and treatment by using the same biological target.

Advancements in Radiopharmaceutical Manufacturing to Expand the Market

Making high-specific-activity Lu-177 has improved both the results and effectiveness of treatments. The rise in isotope production all over the globe is helping to provide a dependable supply chain. Public and private groups are spending more on research in radiopharmaceuticals, the creation of isotopes and modern nuclear medicine centers. More and more, countries are developing their own capabilities to cut back on imports and have what they need when they need it.

RESTRAINING FACTOR

Radioactive Waste Management Challenges to Potentially Impede Market Growth

Managing radioactive Lu-177 calls for placing radioactive waste according to environmental and safety rules. Facilities are sometimes put off from moving forward with waste disposal, due to being required to set up special facilities. Healthcare workers in many regions of Asia, Africa and Latin America are not well informed about Lu-177 therapies. There is still limited development of nuclear medicine systems in these places, so the market cannot grow as much as it could.

OPPORTUNITY

Expansion into New Cancer Types to Create Opportunity for the Product in the Market

It is likely that Lu-177 will find greater use for treating many cancers, beyond only those types it is used for now. Experts are conducting research and clinical trials to find out whether it can treat breast, lung, pancreatic and glioblastoma cancers, mainly together with new GRPR antagonist compounds. Combining therapy with Lu-177 and diagnosis using matched isotopes provides better and more personalized care for cancer patients. As scientist uncover more about important molecules for cancer and create additional ligands, Lu-177 may greatly transform the approach used in cancer treatment.

CHALLENGE

Scaling Production and Supply Chain Resilience Could Be a Potential Challenge for Consumers

Increasing the amount of Lu-177 produced to fulfill world demand while keeping high quality and in line with standards is difficult for the future. At present, only a limited number of reactors and facilities are involved in Lu-177 production and most of them have either become old or reached their production limit. Because the isotope has a short half-life, timely distribution on a global scale can face delays mainly in areas that lack their own production. Problems with equipment, logistics or world politics may prevent patients from getting this vital therapeutic.

LUTETIUM-177 (Lu-177) MARKET REGIONAL INSIGHTS

●       NORTH AMERICA

North America is the fastest-growing region in this market. The United States Lutetium-177 (Lu-177) market has been growing exponentially owing to multiple reasons. In the United States and across North America, the usage of Lu-177 is growing fast thanks to a surge in Lutathera and Pluvicto radioligand therapies. People in the region can use advanced medical equipment, benefit from top radiopharmaceutical firms and participate in a variety of clinical trials. Oncologists are adopting Lu-177-based treatments more often because the FDA has approved them. A government effort to cover more costs is helping people get access to mental health care more quickly. Supporting the production of isotopes in the country is increasing supply chain strength.

●  EUROPE

Lu-177 is fully established in Europe, largely due to fast adoption in places like Germany, the UK and the Netherlands. Various Lu-177 treatments have been cleared by the European Medicines Agency and hospitals across Europe now offer nuclear medicine. Collaborations and public grants are helping several EU countries expand how much high-specific-activity Lu-177 they make. Personalized medicine and theragnostic are strongly influencing both scientific work and patient care. Still, some locations have trouble accessing healthcare and this may slow the leveling growth.

 ●       ASIA

Lu-177 applications are advancing quickly in the Asia Pacific region, thanks to efforts from India, China, Japan and South Korea. India has emerged as a main creator of Lu-177, helping to provide Lu-177 to both its own market and overseas. Higher rates of cancer and greater knowledge about nuclear medicine are raising the need for these tests. Even so, there are countries where the lack of proper infrastructure and enough skilled people causes problems.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Key Industry Players Shaping the Market Through Innovation and Market Expansion

Key industry players are shaping the Lutetium-177 (Lu-177) marketplace through strategic innovation and market expansion. These companies are introducing advanced techniques and processes to improve the quality and performance of their offerings. They are also expanding their product lines to include specialized variations, catering to diverse customer preferences. Additionally, they are leveraging digital platforms to increase market reach and enhance distribution efficiency. By investing in research and development, optimizing supply chain operations, and exploring new regional markets, these players are driving growth and setting trends within the Lutetium-177 (Lu-177).

LIST OF TOP LUTETIUM-177 (Lu-177) COMPANIES           

Eckert & Ziegler [Germany]

ITM Isotope Technologies Munich SE [Germany]

Eczacıbaşı-Monrol [Turkey]

Novartis (AAA) [Switzerland]

SHINE Technologies [U.S.]

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT

March 2022: Novartis took significant strives ahead in the Lutetium-177 (Lu-177) marketplace. They recently developed Pluvicto. Pluvicto is a targeted radioligand therapy used to treat metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) expressing PSMA (prostate-specific membrane antigen). It joins Lu-177 with a molecule that binds only to the cancer cell, thus localizing radiation and causing destruction of tumors while sparing healthy tissue.

REPORT COVERAGE       

SWOT analysis is presented in this work at a high level, and helpful recommendations regarding further evolvement of the market are considered. This paper takes an opportunity to review and discuss the market segments and possible applications that have the potential to influence the market growth in the future years. The work uses both, the data regarding the modern state of the market and the information on its evolution to identify the possible development trends.

 The Lutetium-177 (Lu-177)with better portability is expected to gain high growth rates due to better consumer adoption trends, increasing application areas, and more innovative product developments. Yet, there might be some problems like, for instance, the shortage of raw materials or higher prices for them However, the growing popularity of specialized offerings and tendencies towards enhancing quality foster the growth of the market. All of them are progressing through technology and innovative strategies in developments as well as in supply chain and market. Due to changes in the market environment and growing demand for variety, the Lutetium-177 (Lu-177) has a promising development since it constantly develops and expands its application.