Bill Gates-backed TerraPower to Build $450M Medical Isotope Facility in South Philadelphia

The new facility will produce crucial cancer-fighting isotope Actinium-225 on the site of the former Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 5:19am

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TerraPower Isotopes, a company founded by Bill Gates, is planning to build a $450 million manufacturing facility in South Philadelphia's Bellwether District. The new facility will focus on producing Actinium-225, a rare medical isotope used in cancer imaging and targeted cancer treatments. The project aims to expand global access to this vital resource and represents a significant redevelopment of the former Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery site, which was the site of a major 2019 explosion and fire.

Why it matters

This project marks an important shift towards repurposing former industrial sites for life-saving technologies. It also highlights Philadelphia's growing strength as a life sciences hub, attracting major investments in innovative healthcare solutions. However, community groups remain vigilant about ensuring the redevelopment benefits nearby residents and prioritizes environmental safety.

The details

TerraPower Isotopes will manufacture Actinium-225, a crucial isotope for both cancer imaging and targeted cancer treatments. The demand for Actinium-225 is rapidly increasing as precision medicine gains traction. The $450 million facility is expected to create over 225 new full-time jobs in the area. The site has undergone extensive environmental cleanup and remediation, overseen by state and federal regulators. However, some community groups continue to advocate for a community benefits agreement to ensure the project truly benefits the surrounding neighborhoods.

  • TerraPower Isotopes is expected to begin operations at the new facility in 2029.
  • The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is contributing $10 million to the project, alongside tax incentives.

The players

TerraPower Isotopes

A company founded by Bill Gates that is focused on manufacturing rare medical isotopes, specifically Actinium-225, used in cancer-fighting drugs.

Bellwether District

The area in South Philadelphia where the new TerraPower Isotopes facility will be located, on the site of the former Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery.

Philly Thrive

A community group that is advocating for a community benefits agreement to ensure the redevelopment project benefits nearby residents and prioritizes environmental safety.

Karen Fegely

The commerce director for the city of Philadelphia, who emphasized that the city's robust research, science, and life sciences industry was a key factor in attracting TerraPower Isotopes to the city.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is contributing $10 million to the project, alongside tax incentives. TerraPower Isotopes is expected to begin operations in 2029.

The takeaway

This project represents a significant redevelopment of a former industrial site, transforming it into a center for innovation and healthcare. It highlights Philadelphia's growing strength as a life sciences hub and the potential for repurposing contaminated or abandoned land into centers of economic growth and improved public health.