Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center, University of Applied Sciences Giessen, EQ Photonics GmbH and Terapet SA Launch FLASHVIVO to Enable In-Beam PET Verification and Biological Guidance in FLASH Particle Therapy

Geneva, Switzerland, March 2026 – Terapet SA announces the launch of FLASHVIVO – Biological Guidance and In Vivo PET Verification in FLASH Particle Therapy, a new collaborative R&D project aimed at addressing one of the key barriers to the clinical adoption of FLASH therapy: the lack of real-time, in-vivo verification under ultra-high dose rate conditions.

FLASH radiotherapy has shown strong potential to reduce normal-tissue toxicity and shorten treatment times. However, its clinical translation remains limited by the absence of technologies for real-time treatment verification during irradiation.

FLASHVIVO directly addresses this gap by developing Flashscan, the first in-beam PET system specifically designed to operate during FLASH irradiation, enabling real-time, in-vivo verification of particle therapy delivery.

A consortium combining system development, simulation and clinical expertise

FLASHVIVO brings together a European consortium including:

• Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (Germany) – contributing expertise in Monte Carlo simulations, biological modelling and beamline validation
• University of Applied Sciences Giessen (Germany) – leading the development of accelerator synchronization and motion-resolved (4D) verification strategies
• EQ Photonics GmbH (Germany) – developing radiation-hardened detector components and high-rate electronics required for operation under FLASH conditions
• Terapet SA (Switzerland) – developing the Flashscan in-beam PET system and associated imaging workflows

The technology developed within FLASHVIVO will be experimentally validated under realistic treatment conditions at leading European particle therapy centres, including Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center and the Marburg Ion-Beam Therapy Center.

The German partners in FLASHVIVO are supported through the Zentrale Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand (ZIM), funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, within the framework of the IraSME – 36th Call for Transnational Collaborative R&D Projects.

From in-vivo verification to biological guidance

FLASHVIVO goes beyond conventional verification approaches by integrating biological guidance into the treatment workflow.

By combining PET signals generated by the therapeutic beam with those from radiotracers administered prior to treatment, the system enables:

• On-couch tumour localisation before or during treatment
• Real-time verification of delivered dose based on PET signals
• Interpretation of treatment delivery through combined physical and biological information
• The development of future adaptive strategies for FLASH particle therapy

This dual-PET approach supports a more complete understanding of dose deposition under FLASH conditions, where conventional verification methods are not applicable.

Statements from the consortium representatives

Prof. Andrea Mairani, Scientific Director at Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT)

“FLASH therapy has the potential to significantly reduce treatment time by delivering the full dose in a single or few fractions. This not only improves patient comfort and reduces the burden of repeated hospital visits, but may also lead to better clinical outcomes by minimizing damage to healthy tissue.

From an operational perspective, shorter treatment times can translate into increased patient throughput and more efficient use of existing infrastructure. This creates a compelling economic advantage for healthcare facilities, as it allows them to treat more patients without requiring additional equipment or capacity.

Taken together, FLASH therapy offers a unique combination of clinical and economic benefits, making it a particularly attractive innovation for next generation radiotherapy.”

Prof. Kilian Baumann, University of Applied Sciences Giessen

“As FLASH therapy delivers a very high dose in a short time and typically employs a single fraction only, the margin for error is extremely small. This makes precise synchronization between dose delivery and monitoring absolutely critical.

Any mismatch between what is delivered and what is measured cannot be corrected retrospectively, as there is no opportunity to compensate in following fractions. Therefore, real time and highly accurate monitoring becomes essential to ensure that the intended dose is delivered exactly as planned.

In this context, robust synchronization is not just a technical requirement but a fundamental enabler for both patient safety and clinical effectiveness.”

Oliver Löbbecke, CEO at EQ Photonics GmbH

“At EQ Photonics, our role always goes far beyond traditional distribution; we act as a strategic link between pioneering innovation and industrial application. In this project, we are taking this commitment a step further by serving as an active development partner. By integrating first-hand technological insights directly into the design process, we ensure that cutting-edge technology is perfectly tailored to meet real-world needs. We are proud to contribute our technical expertise to a project of such high scientific and technological ambition.”

Dr. Christina Vallgren, CEO at Terapet SA

“FLASH therapy has strong clinical potential, but its adoption depends on our ability to verify dose delivery under these extreme conditions. With FLASHVIVO, we are developing a system capable of operating during irradiation, combining in-beam PET with biological information to better understand and validate treatment delivery in real time.”

About the Consortium Partners

Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT) is one of Europe’s leading centres for ion beam therapy, combining clinical operations with advanced research in medical physics and radiation biology, and plays a key role in the development of next-generation particle therapy techniques.

University of Applied Sciences Giessen is a German university of applied sciences with strong expertise in medical physics and radiation technologies, collaborating closely with leading clinical centres such as the Marburg Ion-Beam Therapy Center.

EQ Photonics GmbH is a German technology company with over 25 years of experience in advanced photonics. Moving far beyond traditional distribution, the company acts as a strategic development partner for high-end components—ranging from acousto-optics and laser technology to machine vision. By connecting world-class manufacturers with European industry, EQ Photonics delivers professional, tailor-made solutions for industry, science and medicine.

Terapet SA is a Swiss MedTech company based in Geneva and a CERN spin-off specializing in advanced gamma-ray detection technologies for medical imaging and particle therapy, with a focus on PET-based solutions for treatment verification and precision oncology.