Ionetix

Established in 2009, Ionetix is a global medical technology company spanning 11 locations across the country, with its headquarters, lab, manufacturing, warehousing and R&D located across two locations in Lansing, Michigan.

As an advanced technology and life sciences company, Ionetix focuses on developing and commercializing cyclotron technology, medical isotopes and radiopharmaceutical solutions for diagnostic imaging and targeted cancer therapies. As part of this work, Ionetix developed the ION-12SC, a compact superconducting cyclotron designed to produce N-13 Ammonia for cardiac PET imaging.

The company has built a growing network of these systems across the country while expanding its capabilities in radiopharmaceutical manufacturing and targeted alpha cancer therapies, which protect healthy tissue in comparison to traditional radiation therapy by attaching radioactive alpha isotopes directly to tumor cells.

Ionetix’s ongoing growth and breakthroughs are furthering Michigan’s leadership in the life sciences and medical technology industries – and putting Lansing on the map in the fight against cancer.

Choosing Lansing

Ionetix established its alpha isotope manufacturing presence in Lansing in 2021, moving its headquarters from California to Michigan and acquiring a roughly 10,000-square-foot facility to support production and development of therapeutic alpha radionuclides. The company subsequently commissioned its first cyclotron at the Lansing facility and began commercial production of Actinium-225.

In June 2025, the company announced it would be investing $25.75 million in the Lansing region to expand its operations with support from a $750,000 Michigan Business Development Program (MBDP) performance-based grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), creating 53 new jobs. The expansion is designed to increase production and supply chain capacity for radiopharmaceutical products and support the continued development of advanced isotope manufacturing capabilities, accelerating the global effort to cure cancer. 

According to Dominica Palacio, VP of administration for Ionetix, the company is already on target to expand its local workforce with high-tech jobs. Recently, Ionetix has added two chemists and two isotope production staff to prepare for the expansion.

“The MEDC's support has been an important part of Ionetix's decision to continue investing and expanding in the Lansing region, said Palacio. “For Ionetix, the value of the MBDP support goes beyond the financial incentive itself. It demonstrates that Michigan is willing to partner with companies that are making significant, long-term investments in emerging industries. That partnership helps us plan for growth, invest in specialized infrastructure, and most importantly develop, recruit and retain a highly skilled workforce in the region.”

For Ionetix, the Lansing region provides access to a highly skilled workforce and a strong life sciences and technology ecosystem, thanks in part to its proximity to Michigan State University and its research capabilities such as the federally funded Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, as well as a broader network of medical technology, life sciences, engineering and advanced manufacturing organizations.

At the Center of Cancer Treatment

Today, Ionetix’s Lansing operation is also producing and routinely shipping Astatine-211 (At-211). Ionetix is the first non-academic organization in the U.S. to supply At-211 commercially; with a half-life of about seven hours, At-211 loses potency quickly after production. Biopharmaceutical companies are sponsoring an increasing number of clinical trials using this alpha isotope for cancer treatment.

The company’s Lansing operations are helping address supply challenges for medical isotopes used in diagnostic imaging and targeted alpha therapy, supporting researchers, clinicians and ultimately patients across North America.

Most recently, Ionetix is completing the buildout of another cyclotron to help make isotopes for new therapies, and the company publicly announced it is taking steps to become a publicly traded company – with Michigan at the center of it all.​​​​​​​​​​​

“Michigan has demonstrated that it wants companies in emerging industries to grow here, said Palacio. “The partnership among the MEDC, LEAP, Delta Township, educational institutions, workforce organizations and the business community creates an environment where companies can move from innovation to commercialization while continuing to create high-skilled jobs locally.”

Learn more about why businesses choose Michigan to start, scale and grow a business.