Breaking News! The South China Clinical Center of This "National-Level" Laboratory Settles in HeYou Hospital

On November 26, the South China Clinical Center of the State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Radiation Protection (co-established by the Province and Ministry) of Soochow University was officially inaugurated at HeYou Hospital in Shunde District, Foshan City. This landmark collaboration marks the arrival of the only national key laboratory in the field of radiation medicine in China to the South China region, opening a new chapter in radiation medicine research and its clinical application.

It is understood that the HeYou Proton and Heavy Ion Center, currently under accelerated construction, will introduce internationally recognized advanced precision tumor radiotherapy technology — proton and heavy ion radiation therapy. It is expected to be completed and commence clinical trials in 2026, thereby enhancing the level of precision tumor treatment in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and even South China.

The establishment of the South China Clinical Center of the State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Radiation Protection (co-established by the Province and Ministry) of Soochow University aims to address the international frontiers of radiation medicine, closely align with major national strategic needs such as Healthy China, Nuclear Power Powerhouse, and National Security, and conduct high-level research on radiation biological effects and mechanisms, advanced radiation diagnosis and treatment, and radiation protection. The center will fully leverage Soochow University's scientific research advantages in radiation medicine, combined with HeYou Hospital's clinical advantages in proton and heavy ion radiotherapy, to jointly promote the development of radiation medicine.

The center is led by Academician Chai Zhifang, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Dean of the School of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Soochow University Medical College. It brings together numerous high-level experts, forming a powerful synergy driving both clinical practice and scientific research, accelerating the transformation of scientific and technological achievements into clinical applications, and further promoting the development of proton and heavy ion radiation medicine in China.

Academician Chai Zhifang pointed out that the development of nuclear medicine is currently facing new opportunities. He hopes that through in-depth cooperation between the laboratory and the hospital, resource sharing and complementary advantages can be achieved, accelerating the application and transformation of scientific research results, jointly promoting the development of nuclear medicine technology in China, serving the high-quality development of the national and local social economy, and expecting closer cooperation and more fruitful results between the two parties.

Li Li, Secretary of the Party Committee and Director of the Management Committee of HeYou International Hospital Group, stated that this is the first implemented cooperation project between the two parties since Soochow University and HeYou signed a strategic cooperation agreement in February last year, and it is the first milestone event in the university-hospital cooperation since HeYou's opening. He hopes to jointly build a highland for advanced radiotherapy technology research and application, enabling cutting-edge medical technology to benefit more patients.

The establishment of the South China Clinical Center will not only enhance the scientific research and clinical level of radiation medicine in Foshan and the South China region but also inject new vitality into the development of China's radiation medicine industry. The two parties will also jointly promote the establishment of a particle radiation medicine biological sample bank at HeYou Hospital, striving to complete its construction within 2-3 years after HeYou Hospital's establishment, and meet the relevant national standards for sample bank construction and management within 3-4 years. To improve the clinical diagnosis, treatment, and basic research level of radiation medicine in the Greater Bay Area, the two parties also plan to jointly build the first demonstration platform for proton and heavy ion radiobiology research and clinical translation in the Greater Bay Area.

As a key component of the overall HeYou project and an important carrier for this graduate workstation and clinical research center, the construction of the HeYou Proton and Heavy Ion Center is nearing completion. The proton and heavy ion radiation therapy equipment has been largely installed, and equipment debugging will begin next year. Proton and heavy ion technology is one of the internationally recognized advanced cancer radiotherapy methods, known as a "cancer-fighting weapon." The HeYou Proton and Heavy Ion Center is equipped with 1 proton treatment room with a 360° rotating gantry, 2 heavy ion treatment rooms with 3 different incident angles, and 1 reserved treatment room for future technological upgrades. This is currently one of the few devices globally configured with a proton rotating gantry plus multi-incident angle heavy ion therapy. It will be one of the world's leading configurations for a considerable period after its completion, expected to be finished and commence clinical trials in 2026, helping more cancer patients receive precise treatment, thereby enhancing the level of precision tumor treatment in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and South China.

After the unveiling ceremony, the radiobiology course for the joint radiotherapy talent training program officially commenced. The two parties will jointly train radiotherapy talents, share educational resources, cultivate more high-quality professionals for the field of radiation medicine, and promote new breakthroughs in scientific research cooperation and talent cultivation at HeYou.

Lu Jiade, a member of the Management Committee of HeYou International Hospital Group and Vice President of HeYou Hospital, stated that Soochow University, with its radiation medicine research team led by Academician Chai Zhifang, is the cradle of radiation medicine professionals in China and holds an important position in the field of radiation medicine in China. He hopes that through cooperation between the two parties, the level of radiation medicine talent cultivation can be effectively improved, forming a future-oriented training system for tumor radiotherapy talents, and jointly promoting the development and enhancement of proton and heavy ion technology application in China.

Taking this cooperation with Soochow University as an opportunity, HeYou will accelerate the building of a professional, advanced, and rigorous medical team, actively expand multi-party exchanges and cooperation, strive to reach the international forefront of tumor radiotherapy research and clinical practice, promote the development of China's tumor particle therapy industry, and build a highland for the research and application of advanced particle therapy technology. This will enable cutting-edge medical technology to benefit more patients, allowing more tumor patients to receive more advanced and precise treatment.