Former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn has been named CEO of Nucleus RadioPharma, a contract development and manufacturing organization specializing in radiopharmaceuticals. The appointment signals the company's commitment to scaling infrastructure necessary to make targeted cancer therapies more accessible to patients worldwide.
Hahn brings extensive regulatory and clinical experience to the role, having served as the 24th FDA commissioner from 2019 to 2021, overseeing both COVID and non-COVID regulatory affairs. Prior to his FDA tenure, he was chief medical executive at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Most recently, he served as CEO-partner of Flagship Pioneering and CEO of Harbinger Health since 2021.
Addressing Critical Infrastructure Challenges
Radiopharmaceuticals represent a promising frontier in oncology, offering treatments that transport radioactive isotopes directly to cancer cells while potentially sparing healthy tissues. However, widespread access to these therapies remains extremely limited due to logistical rather than scientific barriers.
According to the company, three interdependent issues drive supply chain challenges: a fragile and insufficient supply of key isotopes, limited GMP-compliant infrastructure capable of handling medical isotopes, and underdeveloped operational capacity to manage radioactive drugs.
"Radiopharmaceuticals are the next frontier of precision oncology care," said Hahn. "But without the infrastructure to deliver these treatments, their impact is fundamentally limited. At Nucleus RadioPharma, we have an extraordinary team that is committed to breaking those barriers."
Company Background and Funding
Founded in 2022 through a collaboration between Eclipse and Mayo Clinic, Nucleus RadioPharma has raised $72 million in funding to date, including participation from AstraZeneca. The company is building a network of advanced facilities in Mesa, Arizona, and Spring House, Pennsylvania, that integrate research, development, and commercial-scale production under one roof.
"With one of the largest cancer theranostics practices in the world, we have a responsibility to drive continual innovation and develop new targeted diagnostic and therapeutic radioisotopes for our patients," said Dr. Cheryl Willman, Stephen and Barbara Slaggie executive director for Mayo Clinic Cancer Programs and Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Strategic Focus and Future Plans
In his first year as CEO, Hahn will focus on completing the company's GMP readiness at its Rochester, Minnesota facility, expanding R&D capabilities, launching Nucleus' data platform, and forging strategic partnerships. Over the next five years, the company aims to dramatically increase manufacturing capacity and advance initiatives that improve patient access worldwide.
Justin Butler, partner at Eclipse and Nucleus board member, emphasized the significance of Hahn's appointment: "Steve's experience as both a physician treating patients and as a leader at the FDA brings an unparalleled perspective to Nucleus as the company works to build the infrastructure needed to accelerate the widespread availability of radiopharmaceuticals."
The appointment represents a major indicator to the oncology community that radiopharmaceuticals are positioned as the future of precision cancer treatment, with Nucleus poised to lead this emerging therapeutic area.
