The global nuclear medicine market growth in 2026 is witnessing significant expansion as radiopharmaceuticals become increasingly important for disease diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring. According to Fortune Business Insights, the global nuclear medicine market size was valued at USD 11.77 billion in 2025. The market is projected to grow from USD 13.72 billion in 2026 to USD 55.75 billion by 2034, exhibiting a CAGR of 19.15% during the forecast period. North America dominated the nuclear medicine market with a 52.67% market share in 2025.
Nuclear medicine uses radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic imaging and therapeutic applications. PET and SPECT procedures support disease detection, staging, and treatment monitoring, while therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals are increasingly being used for targeted treatment. The growing use of radiopharmaceuticals in targeted therapy, advancements in theranostics, improvements in isotope production, and increasing adoption of precision medicine are supporting market expansion. The market is also benefiting from increasing investments in isotope production, manufacturing capacity, distribution networks, imaging infrastructure, and radiopharmaceutical development. Industry participants are expanding product portfolios and pursuing strategic partnerships, acquisitions, and commercialization activities to strengthen their presence in the evolving nuclear medicine landscape.
GE HealthCare
Lantheus Holdings, Inc.
Nordion (Canada) Inc. (Sotera Health)
Bracco
Curium
Bayer AG
Siemens Healthineers AG
Novartis AG
Jubilant Pharmova Limited
Cardinal Health
Norgine
DuchemBio, Co., Ltd.
The expanding use of radiopharmaceuticals in targeted therapy is a major driver of the nuclear medicine market. These therapies can deliver radiation directly to diseased cells while limiting exposure to surrounding healthy tissue, supporting more precise treatment approaches. Increasing clinical adoption of radioligand and targeted alpha therapies is strengthening the role of nuclear medicine, particularly in oncology.
For instance, in March 2025, Novartis announced that the U.S. FDA approved Pluvicto for earlier use before chemotherapy in patients with PSMA-positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. The development expanded the eligible patient population for radioligand therapy and strengthened the clinical role of targeted radiopharmaceutical treatment.
However, inadequate reimbursement for diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals remains a significant restraint. Nuclear medicine products can be expensive to produce, handle, and distribute, while insufficient reimbursement can place financial pressure on hospitals and imaging providers. These reimbursement gaps can limit adoption of innovative tracers and restrict broader access to advanced diagnostic imaging.