Purdue’s new online master’s in radiopharmaceutical manufacturing gives students hands-on experience in growing field

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The field of theranostics, which involves using radiopharmaceutical drugs and diagnostic tools to treat various types of cancer, is expected to grow threefold by 2029 — transforming from a $4.3 billion to a $12.7 billion industry, according to BCC Research. Increased demand for radiopharmaceuticals is fueled by a growing population of cancer patients, the increasing costs of drug development and the need for therapies that target treatment-resistant cancers.

Radiopharmaceuticals, or specialized drugs containing radioactive isotopes, provide a promising solution to increased cancer rates and the need for more effective cancer treatments, but because theranostics is still relatively new, demand is high and growing rapidly for a well-trained and experienced radiopharmaceutical workforce.

Purdue University’s new online Master of Science in Radiopharmaceutical Manufacturing seeks to fill this need by connecting students with leading radiopharmaceutical manufacturing facilities and providing training in project management, environmental controls and facility operations. The program also prepares students to navigate regulatory requirements set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).

This program, which is the first of its kind in the United States, is offered as fully remote with the option to complete in-person capstone projects and hands-on elective courses. The online curriculum consists of courses in basic radiation handling and the regulatory requirements of both the FDA and NRC. Students also take elective courses that can be customized to fit their career goals and interests. To gain experiential knowledge, students will finish the program by completing a capstone course with a radiopharmaceutical manufacturing company.

“The rapid expansion of radiopharmaceutical manufacturing has placed additional burden on an already limited workforce,” said Kara Weatherman, clinical professor of pharmacy practice at Purdue. “The ability to meld the fundamentals of pharmaceutical manufacturing and the fundamentals of radioactive materials into educational offerings such as the master’s in radiopharmaceutical manufacturing provides a unique approach to traditional training methods for workers in these areas.” 

Through a combination of immersive online courses and real-world experiences, students will graduate from the program being able to lead cross-functional teams, ensure regulatory compliance, optimize production efficiency and contribute to the safe development of lifesaving drugs. By completing a final capstone project with professionals in the field, students will have the opportunity to gain firsthand experience in key areas, such as sterile environments, quality control labs and the daily operations of pharmaceutical manufacturing sites. This will prepare students to step into radiopharmaceutical careers immediately after graduation.

“By coupling didactic material taught by experts in the field with innovative simulation exercises that can be completed via distance education to capstone courses that help provide real-world experience and exposure to professionals in the field, we believe that our program will help continue to build a solid pipeline of employees for this growing need,” Weatherman said.

Purdue is a world-renowned leader in innovative pharmacy training and education, offering the nation’s oldest and largest nuclear pharmacy program. Additionally, Indiana is home to a growing number of radiopharmaceutical manufacturing companies and is considered to be the Radiopharmaceutical Capital of the World by BioCrossroads, a catalyst for Indiana’s life science sector. Thus, Purdue is uniquely positioned to give students opportunities in theranostics and the broader nuclear pharmacy field through hands-on learning and partnerships with leading radiopharmaceutical companies in Indianapolis and beyond.

“Purdue has had a long history of involvement in the world of radiopharmaceuticals, so we are ideally placed to play a significant role in the radiopharmaceutical manufacturing space as well,” Weatherman said. “In addition, radiopharmaceutical manufacturing is a multidisciplinary field, and Purdue has many colleges and departments that can contribute to our expanded presence in this space.”

Students who are interested in applying to the program should have a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, engineering, health physics, pharmacy or a related field. Prior experience in radiopharmaceutical manufacturing is not required, though it may be beneficial. Professionals who are new to the field or seeking a career change are welcome to apply.

Radiopharmaceutical manufacturing is a part of Purdue’s One Health initiative, which brings together research on human, animal and plant health. To learn more about Purdue’s online Master of Science in Radiopharmaceutical Manufacturing, visit the program’s webpage.

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a public research university leading with excellence at scale. Ranked among top 10 public universities in the United States, Purdue discovers, disseminates and deploys knowledge with a quality and at a scale second to none. More than 106,000 students study at Purdue across multiple campuses, locations and modalities, including more than 57,000 at our main campus locations in West Lafayette and Indianapolis. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue’s main campus has frozen tuition 14 years in a row. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap — including its integrated, comprehensive Indianapolis urban expansion; the Mitch Daniels School of Business; Purdue Computes; and the One Health initiative — at https://www.purdue.edu/president/strategic-initiatives.