OMA · Project

Better Particle Beam Technology to Make Cancer Radiation Therapy More Precise and Effective

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When you get radiation therapy for cancer, doctors try to zap the tumor without damaging healthy tissue around it. Particle beams (protons and heavy ions) are like sniper rifles compared to the shotgun approach of traditional X-rays — they can stop precisely inside the tumor. OMA brought together 24 partners across Europe to build better beam monitors, smarter treatment planning software, and tracking systems that follow a patient's breathing so the beam hits the right spot even when the body moves. Think of it as upgrading the GPS and targeting system on that sniper rifle.

By the numbers

consortium partners across Europe

countries represented in the partnership

industry partners in the consortium

total project deliverables produced

demonstrator-level deliverables with prototypes or tested results

SMEs participating in the project

The business problem

What needed solving

Cancer treatment with particle beams (protons, heavy ions) is more precise than traditional radiation, but current systems still struggle with real-time beam monitoring, accounting for patient movement during treatment, and optimizing dose calculations. These limitations mean tumors may receive uneven doses while healthy tissue gets unnecessary exposure, reducing treatment effectiveness and increasing side effects.

The solution

What was built

The project built working prototypes of beam monitors and particle detectors (including a VELO prototype), demonstrated non-invasive beam monitoring on treatment beam lines, implemented Monte Carlo simulation codes for treatment planning with first tests completed, developed and benchmarked radiobiological models, and created optical tracking hardware and software for following patient breathing during 4D CT imaging and dose delivery.

Audience

Who needs this

Particle therapy system manufacturers (IBA, Varian, Hitachi, Mevion)Cancer treatment centers operating or planning proton/ion therapy facilitiesMedical physics software companies building treatment planning systemsRadiation detector and beam instrumentation manufacturersHospital networks evaluating next-generation radiotherapy investments

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Medical Device Manufacturing

mid-size

Target: Companies that build or supply components for particle therapy systems

If you are a medical device manufacturer supplying beam monitoring or detector components — this project built and tested multiple prototype detectors and a non-invasive beam monitoring system demonstrated on treatment beam lines. These validated designs could shorten your R&D cycle for next-generation monitoring hardware. The consortium included 6 industry partners already working in this space.

Radiation Therapy Clinics & Hospital Networks

enterprise

Target: Cancer treatment centers considering or operating particle therapy facilities

If you are a hospital network running proton or ion therapy centers — this project developed treatment planning software using Monte Carlo simulations, 4D patient tracking with optical devices for respiratory motion, and radiobiological models benchmarked against clinical data. These tools can improve tumor targeting accuracy and reduce dose to healthy tissue in your existing facilities.

Software & Simulation for Healthcare

SME

Target: Companies developing treatment planning or medical simulation software

If you are a healthcare software company building treatment planning tools — this project implemented Monte Carlo codes for treatment planning and imaging, created a treatment database, and developed radiobiological models in patient voxel representation. These validated algorithms and datasets, produced across 10 countries, can accelerate your product development for the growing particle therapy market.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to license or adopt this technology?

OMA was an MSCA training network, so IP is distributed across 24 partners in 10 countries. Licensing terms would need to be negotiated with individual partners — likely the University of Liverpool as coordinator and the 6 industry partners already in the consortium. Costs depend on which specific component (detectors, software, monitoring systems) you need.

Can these solutions work at industrial scale in real clinical settings?

Several deliverables were demonstrated in clinical-relevant settings: non-invasive beam monitoring was demonstrated on treatment beam lines, detector demonstrators were built and assessed, and Monte Carlo treatment planning codes were implemented with first tests realized. However, full clinical deployment would require regulatory approval and further validation.

What is the IP situation — can I license specific components?

The project produced 37 deliverables across multiple institutions. IP ownership follows EU rules for MSCA projects, typically shared between the host institution and the researcher. With 6 industry partners already in the consortium, some results may already be under commercial development agreements. Contact the coordinator for specific licensing options.

How does this compare to existing particle therapy technology on the market?

OMA specifically targeted gaps in current systems: better real-time beam monitoring (non-invasive), more accurate dose calculation (Monte Carlo-based treatment planning), and motion management (4D optical tracking for breathing). These address known limitations in commercial systems from vendors like IBA, Varian, and Hitachi.

What regulatory pathway would these technologies need?

Medical devices for radiation therapy require CE marking in Europe and FDA clearance in the US. The beam monitors, detectors, and treatment planning software developed in OMA are at prototype stage and would need clinical trials and regulatory submissions before commercial use. The radiobiological models and treatment databases could support regulatory filings.

Is there evidence of clinical testing?

Based on available project data, prototypes were built and tested (detector demonstrators, beam monitors on treatment beam lines, VELO prototype ready), and radiobiological models were benchmarked. Measurements on biological samples were completed and published. Full clinical trials on patients are not documented in the deliverable data.

Consortium

Who built it

OMA assembled a well-balanced consortium of 24 partners from 10 countries, with a 25% industry ratio (6 industry partners including 5 SMEs). The mix of 6 universities, 6 research centers, and 6 industry players shows genuine academia-industry collaboration rather than a purely academic exercise. The involvement of CERN (modifications to CTF3 facility tested there) adds credibility. For a business looking to adopt these technologies, the presence of 5 SMEs suggests components that are already being commercialized or are close to market. The coordinator, University of Liverpool, is a recognized center for accelerator physics.

THE UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOLCoordinator · UK
COSYLAB LABORATORIJ ZA KONTROLNE SISTEME DDpartner · SI
LUDWIG-MAXIMILIANS-UNIVERSITAET MUENCHENparticipant · DE
FONDAZIONE CENTRO NAZIONALE DI ADROTERAPIA ONCOLOGICAparticipant · IT
THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTERparticipant · UK
ION BEAM APPLICATIONS SAparticipant · BE
GSI HELMHOLTZZENTRUM FUR SCHWERIONENFORSCHUNG GMBHparticipant · DE
AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICASparticipant · ES
UNITED KINGDOM RESEARCH AND INNOVATIONpartner · UK
ORGANISATION EUROPEENNE POUR LA RECHERCHE NUCLEAIREparticipant · CH
UNIVERSITY OF LANCASTERpartner · UK
PAUL SCHERRER INSTITUTparticipant · CH
VIALUX MESSTECHNIK + BILDVERARBEITUNG GMBHparticipant · DE
EBG MEDAUSTRON GMBHparticipant · AT
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDONparticipant · UK
INVENTYA LTDpartner · UK
UNIVERSIDAD DE SEVILLAparticipant · ES
ISTITUTO NAZIONALE DI FISICA NUCLEAREpartner · IT

How to reach the team

The University of Liverpool (UK) coordinated OMA. Their accelerator physics department can direct licensing and collaboration inquiries.

Order a report on this consortium See THE UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOL profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to connect with the OMA team for beam monitoring, treatment planning, or detector technology? SciTransfer can arrange a targeted introduction to the right partner in the consortium.

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