A planned $1.4 billion medical isotope production complex in Lea County, New Mexico, has advanced toward construction with state economic support and the selection of Kiewit Nuclear Solutions Co. as its engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) partner.
Eden Radioisotopes is developing the project near Eunice as a purpose-built facility for producing medical isotopes used in diagnostic imaging and cancer treatment.
The latest developments bring the project closer to its planned construction phase as Eden works through federal licensing and prepares for a targeted commercial launch in 2030.
Eden selected Kiewit Nuclear Solutions to provide EPC services for the planned facility. Kiewit will support the project as it progresses through engineering, procurement and construction.
Sargent & Lundy will continue providing architecture, engineering and regulatory services. The firm has worked with Eden during development and supported preparation of the project’s NRC construction permit application.
The expanded project team comes as Eden prepares for the next stage of development and regulatory review.
New Mexico backs project investment
Economic Development New Mexico is supporting Eden’s planned investment of up to $1.4 billion through several state programs.
The package includes the Job Training Incentive Program, high-wage and rural job tax credits, and LEDA GRT Share.
The state expects the project to create 205 jobs statewide, including positions associated with manufacturing and operations. It also projects more than $1.5 billion in economic impact over 10 years.
The investment would establish a new medical-isotope production operation in southeastern New Mexico, an area with an existing nuclear and energy-related industrial base.
Facility planned near Eunice
Eden plans to develop the Eden Isotope Production Complex on a roughly 240-acre site near Eunice in Lea County.
The project is designed as a non-power nuclear production facility rather than a conventional electricity-generating nuclear plant.
The planned complex will include a reactor and facilities for processing irradiated targets and preparing medical isotopes for commercial use.
Eden’s reactor technology originated from research developed at Sandia National Laboratories. The company licensed the technology from Sandia for commercial development.
The facility is designed around Eden’s so-called All-Target Reactor, which uses low-enriched uranium targets to produce isotopes.
The production complex is expected to manufacture molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) and lutetium-177 (Lu-177), among other potential medical isotopes.
Mo-99 is used to produce technetium-99m, a widely used isotope for diagnostic medical imaging. Lu-177 is used in targeted radiopharmaceutical treatments for cancer.
NRC review remains a key milestone
Eden submitted its Construction Permit Application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission in May 2026.
The NRC is reviewing the application through separate safety and environmental processes. The agency’s published schedule includes environmental and safety review milestones extending into 2027.
Eden expects a formal NRC decision in mid-2027 and is targeting commercial operation in 2030.
The project therefore remains in development and licensing rather than active construction.
The NRC has also scheduled a public hearing for September 29 in Eunice concerning Eden’s construction permit application. The hearing will include information about the licensing process and an opportunity for members of the public to comment.
Project targets U.S. medical isotope supply
The planned facility is intended to increase domestic production of medical isotopes at a time when much of the U.S. supply chain depends on aging reactors and international producers.
Many medical isotopes have short half-lives, limiting the ability of hospitals and suppliers to maintain large inventories. Production or transportation disruptions can therefore affect the availability of nuclear medicine.
Eden says its New Mexico facility is designed to provide a domestic source of isotopes for diagnostic imaging and targeted cancer treatment.
The project also builds on New Mexico’s longstanding nuclear research and industrial capabilities, including expertise developed through national laboratories, universities and existing nuclear operations.
If Eden secures the required NRC approvals, the project is expected to move from licensing and engineering into construction, with commercial operations targeted for 2030.
The New Mexico project is focused on medical isotope production, while other U.S. manufacturers are expanding capacity in different industries. In Wisconsin, Novonesis recently completed a major expansion of its West Allis facility, increasing fermentation capacity by about 66% and packaging capacity by 17%. The plant produces dairy cultures used by food manufacturers, including cheese and yogurt producers.
Project Factsheet: Eden Isotope Production Complex
- Location: Lea County, near Eunice, New Mexico
- Investment: Up to $1.4 billion
- Site: Approximately 240 acres
- Developer: Eden Radioisotopes
- EPC Partner: Kiewit Nuclear Solutions Co.
- Architecture/Engineering/Regulatory: Sargent & Lundy
- Technology: Sandia National Laboratories-derived All-Target Reactor
- Primary Isotopes: Mo-99 and Lu-177
- Jobs: 205 statewide
- NRC Application: Submitted May 2026
- Target NRC Decision: Mid-2027
- Target Commercial Operation: 2030
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