From lab to clinic: CERN-MEDICIS update

CERN’s MEDICIS facility is contributing to the advancement of nuclear medicine by producing unconventional radionuclides for diagnosis and targeted therapy against tumours and other diseases. Radionuclides – atoms with either an excess or deficiency of neutrons – play an essential role in medical imaging and in delivering highly localised radiation to eliminate malignant cells while sparing healthy tissue. By enabling the development of radionuclides with improved physical and chemical properties, MEDICIS supports the growing field of precision medicine and theranostics: the combined practice of diagnosis and therapy.

In 2025, CERN-MEDICIS reached a major milestone: approval to supply radionuclides for clinical use, with test deliveries to Heidelberg University Hospital.

Through the EU-funded PRISMAP project, CERN-MEDICIS has supported dozens of research efforts across Europe, accelerating innovation in cancer diagnosis and treatment. While PRISMAP came to an end last year, the European Commission has decided to continue the project as PRISMAPplus.

CERN-MEDICIS is supported through external donations. Help us accelerate cancer research: