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Partnership in radiotherapy between Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine - University of Freiburg and Varian / The aim is to develop innovative radiotherapy technologies / Around eight million euros investment

The groundbreaking ceremony for the new Technology Innovation Laboratory (TIL) was held on Friday, November 29, 2024 at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg. This project is the centerpiece of a strategic partnership between the Faculty of Medicine - University of Freiburg, the Medical Center - University of Freiburg and Varian, a Siemens Healthineers company. Together, the partners are pursuing the goal of shaping the future of radiotherapy and developing innovative treatment methods for patients. The project partners are sharing the costs of around eight million euros for construction and equipment.

"Outstanding research is the basis for the medicine of tomorrow," explains Prof. Dr. Lutz Hein, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine - University of Freiburg. "This collaboration strengthens internationally recognized research in radiotherapy and increases the attractiveness of Freiburg as a scientific location."

"We have already successfully established the 'Industry on Campus' principle in several departments at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg and are now delighted about the new, forward-looking partnership in radiotherapy," says Prof. Dr. Frederik Wenz, Chief Medical Officer of the Medical Center - University of Freiburg. "The fact that the model is attractive is also shown by the fact that we were contacted by institutions worldwide during the project planning phase who are planning a similar approach."

Prof. Dr. Anca-Ligia Grosu, Medical Director of the Department of Radiation Oncology at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg, also emphasizes: "I am convinced that this research will further improve the diagnostics, precision and safety of radiotherapy. This will enable us to personalize radiotherapy treatment even more to the individual patient."

"We are breaking new ground and doing pioneering work," says Prof. Dr. Dimos Baltas, Head of the Department of Medical Physics in the Department of Radiation Oncology and responsible for physical-technical research operations at TIL: "Our experts in medical physics and computer science will work together with physicists and engineers from our industrial partner to apply their knowledge and experience to test and further develop the latest technologies for clinical use."

Dr. Arthur Kaindl, Head of Varian, a Siemens Healthineers company, adds: "The collaboration with the Medical Center - University of Freiburg and the University of Freiburg is a significant step towards accelerating innovation in radiotherapy. Our common goal is to develop new technologies that will benefit patients worldwide and help improve treatment outcomes in the long term."

Patients should benefit from innovative research

The Technology Innovation Lab will provide a flexible platform that combines the latest radiation technology with innovative 3D and 4D imaging technologies. This will allow research teams from medicine, medical physics and computer science to work together with engineers to further develop innovative treatment technologies that directly benefit patients.

The TIL is being built by the Medical Center - University of Freiburg on a site belonging to the University Hospital. Varian will provide the entire equipment infrastructure for the duration of the collaboration. The TIL is scheduled to go into operation at the beginning of 2026.

Caption 1: The project was launched with a joint ground-breaking ceremony (from left to right): Karl-Heinz Gilgin (Head of Construction and Development Planning, Medical Center - University of Freiburg), Prof. Dr. Dimos Baltas, Prof. Dr. Frederik Wenz, Prof. Dr. Anca-Ligia Grosu, Dr. Arthur Kaindl, Prof. Dr. Lutz Hein
Image source: Medical Center - University of Freiburg

Caption 2: The Technology Innovation Lab is directly connected to the Department of Radiation Oncology (background) at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg. With its green roof, it blends harmoniously into the hospital grounds.
Image source: Helen Deutsch for WPW GmbH

Caption 3: The TIL building has a striking semi-circular shape and the wood paneling makes it blend in well with the hospital grounds.
Image source: Medical Center - University of Freiburg