Lantheus and GE HealthCare Forge Strategic Partnership for Prostate Cancer Imaging in Japan

Lantheus, a leader in diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals, has entered into a significant agreement with GE HealthCare, granting the latter rights to its blockbuster prostate cancer PET imaging agent, Pylarify, in Japan. This strategic move aims to expand the reach of the diagnostic tool in key international markets, leveraging GE HealthCare's recent acquisition of Nihon Medi-Physics (NMP), a prominent radiopharmaceutical provider in Japan.

Expanding Pylarify's Global Footprint

Pylarify, also known as piflufolastat F-18, has established itself as a groundbreaking diagnostic tool for prostate cancer detection. Since its FDA approval in 2021, the small molecule has been used in over 500,000 scans across the contiguous United States. The imaging agent targets tumors with high levels of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), enabling the detection of metastatic spread to lymph nodes, bones, and other organs, as well as cancer recurrence in treated patients.

Under the terms of the agreement, GE HealthCare will receive regulatory documents and manufacturing specifications from Lantheus. The partnership aims to secure marketing approval in Japan and establish a commercial launch strategy, guided by a joint steering committee. While specific financial details were not disclosed, the deal includes an upfront licensing fee, along with milestone and royalty payments to Lantheus.

Leveraging Local Expertise for Market Penetration

GE HealthCare plans to utilize NMP's established R&D and manufacturing network to develop, produce, and commercialize Pylarify in Japan. This strategic approach capitalizes on NMP's deep regional expertise and infrastructure, which GE HealthCare acquired full ownership of in March 2025 after previously sharing ownership with Sumitomo Chemical.

Brian Markison, CEO of Lantheus, emphasized the partnership's potential, stating, "This partnership is expected to meaningfully extend the reach of our diagnostic imaging agent in key international markets. GE HealthCare and NMP's deep regional expertise will enable us to advance the detection and care of prostate cancer and drive significant impact in an important market."

Navigating a Competitive Landscape

As Pylarify expands its global presence, it faces increasing competition in the PET radiotracer market for prostate cancer. Rivals include Blue Earth Diagnostics' Posluma and an upcoming copper-isotope-based theranostic from Clarity Pharmaceuticals. In response to this competitive landscape, Lantheus is taking proactive measures to reinforce Pylarify's clinical differentiation and support the value of its PSMA PET franchise.

The imaging agent has already achieved blockbuster status, generating over $1 billion in sales in 2024. In the first half of 2025, Pylarify accounted for approximately two-thirds of Lantheus' revenue, contributing $508 million to the company's total revenue of $750 million.

As the partnership between Lantheus and GE HealthCare unfolds, the pharmaceutical industry will be watching closely to see how this collaboration shapes the future of prostate cancer diagnostics in Japan and beyond.