The Petten nuclear reactor plays a crucial role in the development of new nuclear medicines.
Lead4Life: €5 million for innovative nuclear medicines for the treatment of cancer.
PETTEN, 6 February 2026 – The research programme Lead4Life is receiving €5 million in PPS funding from Health~Holland for the development of lead‑212–based radiopharmaceuticals (nuclear medicines) for the treatment of cancer. The initiative by KWF Dutch Cancer Society, NRG PALLAS, FAST, and Oncode Institute will start this year. This public–private partnership gives the Netherlands a strong international position in the development and application of a new generation of radiopharmaceutical cancer treatments.
Marjolijn Droog, Executive Director of Medical Isotope Solutions at NRG PALLAS, said: “With our new PALLAS-reactor and our expertise in medical isotopes, we contribute to the development of lead‑212 as a powerful nuclear medicine for the treatment of cancer. Through our collaboration with the Lead4Life partners and this grant, we are on the verge of bringing several innovative cancer treatments to the clinic. Our goal is to increase access to cancer therapy for every patient, in the Netherlands, Europe, and beyond.”
Rising demand for nuclear medicines
The modern imaging equipment used to detect life‑threatening diseases such as cancer enables doctors to make accurate diagnoses, making personalised treatment for patients increasingly possible.
Lead4Life focuses on making lead‑212 available for the treatment of various types of cancer. In order to use lead‑212 for (pre)clinical research and ultimately for treatment, a robust production process is required, together with technology that ensures safe administration to the patient. Because production, technology, and clinical application are strongly interdependent, this development requires a coordinated and collaborative programme-based approach.
Working together to accelerate progress toward clinical use
Within Lead4Life, academic researchers, companies, healthcare providers, and patient representatives work closely together. By connecting these parties at an early stage, a cohesive programme is created that enables new lead‑212 radiopharmaceuticals to move more quickly and purposefully from the laboratory to the patient.
The programme contributes to new treatment options for people with cancer. In addition, it also strengthens the Netherlands’ economic earning capacity. By accelerating innovation among SMEs, attracting (inter)national business activity, and creating high‑quality employment, the Netherlands builds on its unique nuclear infrastructure and reinforces its position as a European hub for radiopharmaceutical development and production.
Efficient infrastructure
The path toward new, innovative nuclear medicines is not always easy. Access to nuclear infrastructure, materials, and the right expertise is often a major challenge.
Currently, one‑third of the world’s production of diagnostic medical isotopes takes place in Petten. This gives Petten the necessary infrastructure, permits, and expertise to also take on a unique role in the field of therapeutic isotopes. The involvement of companies accelerates development and ensures a strong focus on bringing concrete improvements for patients to the market.
