Bildnachweis: Saxony Trade & Invest.
Nuclear pharmacy is becoming a key technology in cancer therapy using nuclear medicine. The ecosystem in Saxony, with its exceptionally successful, innovative collaboration of businesses, science institutes and hospitals, is well established in this respect, and with the new nukliD® Radiopharmacy Cluster Dresden, it is perfectly positioned to become an important driver of innovation in Europe.
The network comprises the prestigious partners ABX advanced biochemical compounds GmbH, ABXCRO advanced pharmaceutical services Forschungsgesellschaft mbH, CUP Laboratorien Dr. Freitag GmbH, Gamma-Service Recycling GmbH, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf e. V. (HZDR), Isotope Technologies Dresden GmbH (ITD), MDG Molecular Diagnostics Group GmbH, ROTOP Pharmaka GmbH, and TRIMT GmbH.
Long-standing expertise
The former Central Institute for Nuclear Research of the GDR, which later became the HZDR, formed the nucleus, providing radiopharmaceuticals long before the German reunification. Today, they develop new substances for diagnostics and therapy as well as software algorithms for imaging using positron emission tomography (PET), and they are working on innovative immunotherapeutics with additional radiation emitters.
International market leaders and drivers of innovation
A performance-driven network of market leaders and drivers of innovation has evolved in the region. ROTOP Pharmaka is a leading manufacturer of radiopharmaceuticals, including an iodine-123 compound for Parkinson diagnostics and a product for PSMA-based prostate cancer diagnostics. The Eckert & Ziegler Group is one of the world’s largest producers of radioactive components for medical, scientific and metrological purposes. Two subsidiaries at the location have recently expanded their activities: ITD develops custom-made hot cell solutions and in-cell equipment, while Gamma-Service Recycling specialises in the handling of radioactive substances and the transportation of such substances in Germany and abroad. The expansion of the Dresden-Rossendorf industrial park creates additional spaces for new settlements. Other players have settled in the Radeberg region. ABX is a leading supplier of radiopharmaceutical pre-products, reagent kits and cassette systems for nuclear pharmacy and the GMP-compliant production of such products, and they are working on new radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic devices and medicinal products. CUP is one of the leading experts in radiopharmaceutical analytics and provides highly specialised services such as sterility testing, HPLC analyses and particle analyses. As a start-up, TRIMT develops innovative biomarkers and theranostics solutions to significantly improve the treatment of pancreatic cancer. MDG, a competence network consisting of Biotype GmbH (molecular diagnostic test systems), qualitype GmbH (software for digital laboratory
processes) and ROTOP Pharmaka, is located in Dresden-Hellerau. The use of PSMA-1007 in PET imaging for prostate cancer patients is a prominent example of the successful cooperation of the various players: developed to market maturity by ABX in cooperation with the HZDR and used at the University Hospital in Dresden.
Emerging cluster
Considering the great potential for growth, the cluster is also expected to attract other companies from the industry. You can learn more about the various players and the cluster at the following events:
- Oct 6, 2025 – Lunch event at the EANM 2025 | Barcelona
- Oct 28/29, 2025 – Hi-Tech meets Life Sciences Forum – Radiopharmacy in Saxony | Dresden
- Apr 21/22, 2026 – German Biotech Days | Leipzig
About the author:
Barbara Weigert is responsible for acquisition in the life sciences sector at Saxony Trade & Invest Corp. (WFS).
