The IFIGENEIA project – Innovative Facility for Isotope GENeration with Efficient Ion Accelerator – is a European initiative funded by the Horizon Europe programme. It aims to transform how medical radioisotopes are produced and distributed, ensuring that future healthcare systems across Europe can rely on safe, sustainable, and accessible sources of isotopes essential for diagnostic imaging, cancer therapy, and theranostics.
At its core, IFIGENEIA introduces the use of Linear Accelerator (LINAC) technology as a flexible and environmentally responsible alternative to traditional production methods that depend on aging nuclear reactors and cyclotrons. By applying advanced accelerator systems, the project will enable a wider range of isotopes to be produced locally and on demand – supporting hospitals, research institutions, and patients across Europe.
The project brings together a strong partnership of around 22 organisations from six European countries, uniting universities, research centres, industry partners, and public institutions in a shared mission. Coordinated by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) in Greece, IFIGENEIA benefits from the expertise of major international institutions such as CERN, DKFZ, and GSI, ensuring both scientific excellence and practical impact.
The initiative will run from 2025 to 2029, during which three Excellence Hubs will be established to serve as centres of innovation and collaboration:
- Greece – leading the design and development of LINAC technology and safety studies,
- Slovenia – focusing on control systems, laboratory conditions, and pre-clinical research,
- Cyprus – developing exploitation strategies, business plans, and investment models.
In addition, a Mentoring Hub in Bosnia and Herzegovina will support knowledge transfer and the creation of future centres of excellence in the Western Balkans.
Our Goals:
Implement Linear Accelerator (LINAC) technology in Europe to improve healthcare by:
- Designing sustainable facilities for radionuclide therapy, diagnostics, and theranostics.
- Establishing Centres of Excellence in Greece, Slovenia, and Cyprus to operate LINAC facilities that produce a wide range of medical radioisotopes.
- Strengthening collaboration between science, industry, and healthcare.
By combining scientific expertise, technological innovation, and regional cooperation, IFIGENEIA is laying the groundwork for a new era in nuclear medicine – advancing science today for better health tomorrow.