Tampa Bay secures federal cash to build domestic cancer drug supply

Federal funding will soon reach Pasco County to address a gap in the domestic supply of cancer treatments. The U.S. Economic Development Administration awarded $47.3 million on Oct. 29 to a local coalition. This money helps the United States produce more radiopharmaceuticals, which use radioactive material to target tumors.

The grant supports the Florida Oncology and Radiopharmaceutical Growth Engine, known as FORGE. Moffitt Cancer Center leads the effort alongside Speros, a 775-acre life sciences campus in Pasco County. With matching funds from partners, the five-project package is valued at approximately $88.2 million.

The primary objective is to reduce dependence on foreign isotopes. Josh Carpenter, president of Speros and chief integration officer at Moffitt, explained that every radiopharmaceutical treatment begins with an isotope. He noted that too much of this supply currently depends on sources outside the United States. The new facilities aim to manufacture, test, and deliver these therapies locally.

The funding covers specific infrastructure and educational components. A $16.9 million allocation will build a 130,000-square-foot manufacturing plant at Speros. This facility will house cyclotrons to produce isotopes for research and clinical trials. A separate $15 million project will construct a four-story office and lab building for biotech startups.

Training programs receive the remaining funds. Tampa-based Embarc Collective will run a $4.3 million incubator supporting up to 20 early-stage companies. USF will use $6 million to train nuclear pharmacists who prepare and dose the drugs. Pasco-Hernando State College will expand its radiography and imaging programs with $5 million to train technologists.

Leaders expect the initiative to create thousands of jobs over the next decade. Eric Hall, president of Pasco-Hernando State College, said the investment will help local professionals advance their careers. Charles Lockwood, dean of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, added that the pharmacy college will train pharmacists to help transform cancer treatment.

The coalition secured the grant through an EDA program designed to help disaster-hit areas build economic resilience. The new projects build on Moffitt’s existing $600 million investment at Speros. Officials project that FORGE-driven growth will support about 4,000 jobs across the region by 2037. This includes 1,100 jobs directly at Speros and an estimated $2.6 billion in regional earnings.