Novartis India has launched Pluvicto (lutetium-177 vipivotide tetraxetan), marking the introduction of India’s first regulatory-approved radioligand therapy for eligible patients with Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA)-positive prostate cancer.
The therapy is designed to selectively target prostate cancer cells while limiting damage to surrounding healthy tissues. Pluvicto offers a new treatment option for patients with metastatic prostate cancer, a condition that often carries a heavy physical, emotional, and financial burden for patients and their families.
According to the company, prostate cancer is emerging as one of the fastest-growing cancers among Indian men and is now among the top three cancers affecting men in urban India, with nearly 250,000 cases reported annually. Around half of all patients are diagnosed only after the disease has metastasised, making treatment more challenging because of poorer outcomes, side effects associated with therapy, and complexities in deciding treatment sequences.
Judith Love, Region Head for Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa at Novartis, said India remains a key market for the company as precision oncology and advanced cancer care continue to evolve. She noted that the launch of Pluvicto brings globally established innovation closer to Indian patients who require more targeted treatment approaches.
She added that the significance of the launch extends beyond scientific advancement, highlighting the opportunity to improve patient access through India’s expanding nuclear medicine infrastructure. Novartis, she said, remains committed to widening access to next-generation therapies that can positively impact patients’ lives.
Amitabh Dube, Country President and Managing Director of Novartis India, said many prostate cancer patients in the country are diagnosed only when the disease has already progressed to an advanced metastatic stage, reducing available treatment choices and affecting quality of life.
He said the introduction of Pluvicto brings an internationally recognised radioligand therapy platform to India at a time when demand for precision oncology solutions is growing rapidly. Dube also emphasised the company’s commitment to partnering with hospitals and healthcare stakeholders to strengthen access, encourage multidisciplinary collaboration, and prepare the healthcare system for the future of nuclear medicine.
India’s nuclear medicine capabilities have expanded considerably over the past decade, with more than 250 nuclear medicine centres currently operating across the country. Novartis plans to work closely with hospitals, oncologists, nuclear medicine specialists, and other healthcare partners to support treatment preparedness and integrated care pathways for eligible patients.
Pluvicto will be introduced through selected hospitals and nuclear medicine centres across India under Novartis’ partnership-driven strategy to expand access to radioligand therapies in the country.