alwakaai news :–Experia, a leading Jordanian healthcare solutions provider, signed a collaboration agreement with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, to support the development of Middle East’s first private radiopharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Jordan.

Through the collaboration agreement, IFC will conduct and co-finance a comprehensive feasibility study to assess the project’s technical soundness, environmental and social sustainability, and compliance with regulatory requirements.

The initiative is expected to significantly enhance cancer diagnosis and treatment capabilities in Jordan and the wider region.

The cooperation agreement aligns with Jordan’s new national cancer care program, which will provide government-funded treatment to over 4.1 million citizens starting in 2026.

This landmark project marks a strategic partnership between Experia and the Jordan Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC), which grants access to the Jordan Research & Training Reactor (JRTR) for isotope production. It positions Jordan—home to one of the youngest and most advanced civil-use nuclear research reactors globally—as a future hub for radiopharmaceutical innovation and export in the region.

'This project addresses a critical regional health challenge: the growing burden of cancer and the limited local production of diagnostic and therapeutic isotopes,” said Dr. Ahmad AlShamlih, General Manager of Experia. 'By building this facility in Jordan, we are investing not only in national capacity but also in hope—for more timely, affordable, and effective cancer care for patients across the Middle East.” Cancer is the second leading cause of mortality in Jordan, with an estimated 14,900 new cancer cases recorded in 2024. Nearly 60% of Jordan’s pharmaceutical expenditures are tied to imports, including most radiopharmaceuticals, which are sensitive to delays and cannot be stockpiled.

The upcoming facility will produce critical isotopes such as Technetium-99m, Iodine-131, and Lutetium-177, used in treating and diagnosing thyroid, neuroendocrine, and prostate cancers.

The indirect economic burden of cancer in Jordan is estimated to reach up an annual economic loss of USD 3.1 billion.

'This agreement underscores IFC’s commitment to strengthening Jordan’s healthcare sector, advancing patient care and access to innovative treatments, and creating jobs. By bringing our global expertise to this feasibility study, we are helping Experia launch the region’s first radiopharmaceutical manufacturing facility, attracting new investments, and positioning Jordan as a regional leader in nuclear medicine and cancer treatment” said Ashruf Megahed, IFC’s Regional Head for Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services.

More broadly, the radiopharmaceuticals market in the Middle East and Africa is projected to grow from USD 713 million in 2024 to nearly USD 1.4 billion by 2030, driven by rising cancer incidence and increasing demand for advanced diagnostics and targeted therapies. This marks the first time IFC supports the development of a radiopharmaceutical manufacturing facility in the region, reflecting its strategic commitment to advancing innovative healthcare solutions in emerging markets.