The National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), in partnership with Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), is establishing a state-of-the-art 30 MeV Medical Cyclotron Facility at its Jatni campus. The project is jointly funded by the Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India and the State Government of Odisha. The cyclotron facility is being developed as part of a broader integrated ecosystem that also includes a Nuclear Medicine Hospital and the Centre for Medical and Radiation Physics (CMRP), with the larger goal of strengthening cancer care, education, and translational research in the region.
This will be a first-of-its-kind facility in Odisha and a major strategic resource for medical radioisotope production, nuclear medicine services, academic training, and radiopharmaceutical research in eastern India.
The demand for medical radioisotopes in India is growing rapidly because of the increasing use of PET and SPECT imaging in the early diagnosis and targeted therapy of cancer and other diseases. At present, Odisha and much of eastern India do not have reliable local production capabilities for many clinically important isotopes. This leads to supply constraints, increased costs, and delays in patient care. The upcoming TMC cancer hospital at NISER further strengthens the need for a dedicated and high-capacity isotope production facility that can serve both institutional and regional requirements.
The proposed cyclotron is a fixed-field, isochronous negative-ion (H−) accelerator operating in the 13–30 MeV energy range with high beam current, enabling efficient and continuous production of radioisotopes for clinical and research use.
The facility will support production of a broad range of medically important isotopes required for imaging, therapy planning, and theranostic applications.
These isotopes are essential for functional imaging, personalized medicine, and emerging radiotheranostic applications.
The facility will ensure timely and more affordable access to critical diagnostic and therapeutic radioisotopes for Odisha and neighboring regions. It will reduce delays in imaging and treatment workflows and strengthen the clinical capacity of the region.
The project will reduce dependence on imports and centralized production facilities located far from eastern India. It will help build local capability in isotope production and nuclear medicine infrastructure.
The cyclotron will enable cutting-edge research in radiopharmaceutical development, radiation biology, radiation chemistry, detector development, and materials science, while also supporting translational and hospital-linked research.
Through the Centre for Medical and Radiation Physics (CMRP), the facility will support the training of medical physicists, radiochemists, and cyclotron engineers, thereby contributing to long-term capacity building in nuclear medicine and allied fields.
The project includes the cyclotron system, targetry and radiochemistry infrastructure, quality control laboratories, radiation safety systems, and associated utilities required for reliable and compliant operation. The estimated project cost is approximately Rs. 338 Cr. The facility will be operated and maintained by NISER, with the TMC hospital as a primary user, while also serving other healthcare institutions.
This initiative represents a major step toward building a comprehensive nuclear medicine and research hub in eastern India. By integrating advanced technology, healthcare delivery, education, and academic training, the 30 MeV Medical Cyclotron Facility at NISER will contribute significantly to improved patient outcomes and to strengthening India’s capabilities in nuclear medicine and radiopharmaceutical science.