New radiotracer facility to advance diagnostic innovation
A new partnership between Curium Pharma and Newcastle University will enhance access to advanced medical imaging across the North East, improving diagnostics and supporting cutting-edge research.
8 October 2025
Strengthening regional healthcare through innovation
A new diagnostic radiotracer production facility has been established at Newcastle University in collaboration with Curium Pharma, a global leader in nuclear medicine.
This initiative will reduce reliance on suppliers from further afield and speed up access to advanced diagnostics for patients and researchers across the North East.
Diagnostic radiotracers are essential to Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanning, a powerful imaging technique used to detect and monitor conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and neurological disorders. By enabling earlier and more accurate diagnoses, these tools play a vital role in improving patient outcomes.
A hub for research, manufacturing and clinical impact
The new facility will expand the availability and diversity of radiotracers used in PET scans, supporting both clinical services and research. It brings together Curium’s global expertise in radiopharmaceutical manufacturing with Newcastle University’s strengths in medical science and innovation.
Professor Quentin Anstee, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Medical Sciences at Newcastle University, said:
“This partnership with Curium brings further leading-edge care, research and innovation to the region. As part of our commitment to creating a world in which we all live better, for longer, we’re always looking to develop faster diagnosis and treatment for patients. This collaboration reflects our ongoing mission to translate research into real-world healthcare impact.”
Ruairi O’Donnell, General Manager UK & Ireland, Curium International, said:
“Curium is proud to have played a part in the past decade in expanding access to essential tests for more people. Nuclear technology plays a vital role in helping doctors to diagnose disease, and crucially, it has the potential to transform cancer treatment for up to 80% of cancers in the next 10-15 years.
“Our investment in Newcastle, alongside other parts of the country, is a clear commitment from Curium that we are determined to increase access further.”
Partnership for drug discovery, diagnostics and med-tech
The partnership with Curium is the latest addition to a broad range of medical research and innovation at Newcastle University.
Dr Meera Vijayaraghavan, Business Development Manager who led on the commercial arrangements for the new partnership said:
“From drug discovery, through diagnostic medicine, treatment plans, and even brain-computer interfacing, we’re building more and more links with commercial partners working in med-tech
“The new arrangement with Curium complements work in our Centre for In Vivo Imaging, adds more capability to the med-tech cluster in the North East of England, and most importantly, impacts patients through improved diagnostics.”
The new centre is based on the Newcastle University campus in the Bedson Building, close to the Royal Victoria Infirmary.
