Moffitt Launches Radiopharmaceutical Program at Speros
Key Takeaways:
- Moffitt Cancer Center and Speros launched a program to advance radiopharmaceutical research, clinical trials and manufacturing
- Radiopharmaceuticals target cancer cells with radioactive isotopes, offering more precise approaches to diagnosis and treatment
- More than $600 million in Speros infrastructure investments will support radiochemistry labs and radioisotope production
Cancer treatment is entering a new era of personalization where radioactive medicines are being used to find cancer and deliver highly targeted treatment directly to tumor cells.
To help accelerate that future, Moffitt Cancer Center and Speros have launched the Moffitt Radiopharmaceutical Program. The new interdisciplinary initiative will unite experts across research, clinical care and operations to advance radiopharmaceutical discovery, clinical translation and manufacturing at Speros, Moffitt’s 775-acre innovation district in Pasco County.
Radiopharmaceuticals combine a radioactive isotope with a pharmaceutical compound designed to seek out specific cancer cells. Many of these therapies are part of a growing field known as theranostics, which pairs diagnostic imaging with targeted treatment, helping physicians identify cancer and deliver radiation to the same biological target. Researchers believe the approach could lead to more precise and personalized cancer care for many patients.
“Theranostics represent a promising new method to diagnose and treat cancer,” said Patrick Hwu, MD, president and CEO of Moffitt. “Moffitt is in a unique position to lead in radiopharmaceuticals, and we are investing in the talent and infrastructure to solidify it as a strategic priority.”
Building a Foundation for Growth
Ghassan El-Haddad, MD, oversees the clincial strategy of the new program at Speros.
The new program coordinates efforts already taking shape across Moffitt and Speros. The initiative will help evaluate emerging technologies and partnerships, support radiopharmaceutical clinical trials, and explore new opportunities between radiopharmaceuticals and immunotherapy.
Ghassan El-Haddad, MD, vice chair of radiopharmaceutical and nuclear oncology at Moffitt, and Josh Carpenter, president of Speros and Moffitt’s chief integration officer, are leading the effort. As co-leads of the program, they will guide its clinical, research and operational priorities while helping align Moffitt’s expanding radiopharmaceutical capabilities with opportunities across the rapidly evolving field.
Investing in the Future of Cancer Innovation
The program is supported by more than $600 million in infrastructure investments at Speros, including new radiochemistry laboratories within the Moffitt Discovery and Innovation Center, which will open this fall. The Integrated Theranostics Center will support dedicated radioisotope production and translational research.
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$600 Million
Infrastructure investments at Speros supporting radiopharmaceuticals
Moffitt is also strengthening its expertise through strategic recruitment. Among those helping shape the program is Ivis Chaple, PhD, director of Radioisotope Research and Development, who oversees cyclotron operations, leads development of the institution's radioisotope portfolio and helps foster collaborations with industry partners.
Creating a Regional Hub for Radiopharmaceuticals
The vision extends beyond a single program. Through partnerships with the University of South Florida, Pasco-Hernando State College, Embarc Collective and other organizations participating in the FORGE coalition, Moffitt and Speros are working to build the workforce and industry ecosystem needed to support advanced radioisotope production and radiopharmaceutical development in Florida.
Together, those investments position Speros to become a leading center for radiopharmaceutical innovation in the Southeast and help move promising discoveries from the laboratory into clinical trials and, ultimately, to patients.
