Terapet SA, a spin-off startup from CERN, announced today that it has successfully completed preclinical testing of a heavy particle therapy device in collaboration with Yonsei Cancer Hospital and Oncosoft.
The preclinical test utilized Terapet's latest heavy particle treatment device, Qualγscan. Yonsei Cancer Hospital is the first hospital in Korea to start autonomous heavy particle therapy and has the necessary equipment for research, including a heavy particle therapy machine, related experimental equipment, development manpower, and verification capabilities. It treats cancer patients using an advanced heavy particle beam.
The test of heavy particle therapy with Qualiscan is part of a bilateral innovation project supported by the Swiss Agency for Innovation and the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology. The consortium comprising Terapet, Yonsei Cancer Hospital, and Oncosoft received approximately 4.5 billion won in funding from Korea and Switzerland. Based on a memorandum of understanding for industrial and technological cooperation signed in 2014, the two countries support bilateral co-funded research and development every year.
The preclinical tests demonstrate the innovative nature of Terapet's technology and the potential for its use in the heavy particle environment, according to the company.
"We are pleased that through this collaboration, we are making a real impact on the future of mesoparticle therapy that will benefit more cancer patients," said Dr. Christina Vallgren, CEO of Terapet.
Heavy particle therapy is an advanced cancer treatment that delivers a high dose of radiation to the targeted tissue and a much lower dose to the surrounding healthy tissue. It is excellent for treating children, where life expectancy after treatment is longer and side effects can have a significant impact on quality of life, and for treating cancers located near vital organs such as the brain, spine, optic nerve, and reproductive organs.
