Southern Tohoku Drug Discovery and Cyclotron Research Center

The Southern Tohoku Drug Discovery and Cyclotron Research Center is a specialized facility in Koriyama, Japan, focused on the development and clinical application of radiopharmaceuticals and advanced cancer therapies. As a key entity within the Southern Tohoku Medical Group, the center is a global pioneer in hospital-based Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT), utilizing an on-site accelerator system. It operates a cyclotron for the production of PET diagnostic agents and therapeutic radioisotopes, supporting high-precision molecular imaging and targeted radiation research. The center's work primarily targets refractory cancers, such as malignant gliomas and head and neck tumors, by developing tracers that exploit the metabolic characteristics of cancer cells. By integrating drug discovery with clinical practice, the center provides a comprehensive platform for the diagnosis and treatment of complex oncological conditions. Its collaborations with industrial partners like Sumitomo Heavy Industries have been instrumental in commercializing accelerator-based BNCT technology.