The National University Hospital, the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore and Siemens Healthineers formalised a Memorandum of Understanding on 16 October, to advance clinical diagnostics, translational research and technological innovations together.
SINGAPORE — The National University Hospital (NUH) and the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS Medicine) have jointly launched the Molecular Imaging and Theranostics Centre, a novel integrated clinical, education, research and development facility that brings together advanced diagnostics, targeted therapy and pioneering research. This landmark development is set to transform the way diseases such as cancer are diagnosed, treated and studied, positioning Singapore at the forefront of molecular imaging in Asia.
At the heart of the new centre is Singapore’s first total-body PET/CT (Hybrid Positron Emission Tomography and Computer Tomography) system launched in partnership with Siemens Healthineers, located at the NUH Medical Centre. The next-generation scanner sets a new benchmark in advanced medical imaging and a major step forward in enhancing patient care.
The total-body PET/CT system represents a significant advancement over traditional PET/CT systems, offering a range of unique benefits to patients that go beyond what conventional PET/CT systems can offer:
| Parameters | Total-Body PET/CT | Conventional PET/CT | Benefits to Patients |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detection Sensitivity | ~171 cps/kBq | ~23 cps/kBq* | More detailed and accurate diagnostic information due to ~8 times better detection sensitivity |
| Scan Speed | < 5 minutes | 8 – 15 minutes | Up to one-third time savings for patients undergoing the PET/CT procedure |
| Scan Comfort | A single bed position (continuous bed motion) | 6 – 14 bed positions | Only a single patient position is needed to acquire images, as the system enables continuous bed motion throughout scan, leading to better patient comfort. |
| Scan Throughput | Up to 6 patients / hour | ~3 patients / hour | Shorter wait times for patients due to higher scanner capacity |
| Scan Field of View | 106 cm | ~25 cm | Greater efficiency due to wider scanning area, with > 4 times coverage |
| Radiation Dose | Up to 80% reduction | ~3.5 to 5 mSv** | Lower exposure to radiation for patients |
| Radiotracer Dose | Up to 50% reduction | 6 mCi*** |
*Counts per second per kilo Bequerel = how many counts of the injected activity are detected
**mSv is an ionising radiation dose measurement unit on health risk to the human body
***mCi is the measurement unit on the amount of radioactivity present
“Total-body PET/CT allows us to capture the whole body in a single bed scan with unmatched clarity,” said Professor Khong Pek Lan, Head & Senior Consultant, Department of Diagnostic Imaging, NUH, and Head, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, NUS Medicine. Professor Khong is also the Director of the NUS Clinical Imaging Research Centre (CIRC), based at NUS Medicine.
“Patients benefit from faster, safer and more precise diagnoses, while our clinicians can harness these insights to explore innovative therapies more effectively. This is a step forward in personalised medicine.”
Beyond direct patient care, the new centre will also act as a research powerhouse. Researchers now have the capability to observe the real-time movement of tracers throughout the entire body using advanced total-body PET/CT technology. This opens new possibilities for validating next-generation diagnostics and therapies, advancing theranostics – a fast-emerging field that combines diagnostic imaging with targeted therapy.
Theranostics enables clinicians to first identify disease using a specific diagnostic tracer, and to deliver targeted radiation directly to the very same cancer cells, once suitable molecular targets are identified. This serves to destroy them while sparing most of the healthy tissues.
The ability to conduct such comprehensive studies within a clinical setting will accelerate the development of practice-changing approaches that could become future standards of care. It also strengthens Singapore’s position as a hub for global collaborations and translational research.
NUH, NUS Medicine and industry partner Siemens Healthineers have formalised a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a framework, with the aim of improving patient outcomes through clinical diagnostics, translational research and technological innovations. Together, the partners aim to ensure that the new centre not only benefits patients in Singapore but also drives scientific advancement across Asia.
“Siemens Healthineers is proud to partner NUH and NUS CIRC to launch Singapore’s first total-body PET/CT system, which enables faster, safer, and more accurate diagnostics, while unlocking new frontiers in theranostics and translational research, and shaping the future of healthcare in Singapore and across Asia,” said Ms Siow, Ai Li, Managing Director, Siemens Healthineers Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei.
Expected to be operational by early November, the total-body PET/CT scanner will serve around 2,900 patients per year, while also supporting a wide range of clinical trials and research programmes.
The new Molecular Imaging and Theranostic Centre represents a seamless integration between clinical practice and research within the same facility, fostering greater synergy for the benefit of patient care and scientific advancement. Backed by a robust academic and clinical ecosystem, the collaboration will also drive translational research, provide specialised training, and spearhead regional outreach initiatives.
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