ICPO Foundation, Apollo Hospitals partner to establish CC

Wiesbaden, Germany, and Chennai, India. The International Centers for Precision Oncology (ICPO) Foundation and Apollo Hospital Enterprises Ltd (AHEL), India, announced their cooperation in establishing the theranostics center as one of the global ICPO Collaborating Centers. This partnership seeks to provide a growing number of patients worldwide access to Radiomolecular Precision Oncology (RPO) and to further promote research and development in the field of RPO. The establishment of the internationally active “ICPO Academy for Theranostics” will ensure the best of global practices in Radio Molecular Precision Oncology therapy in India.

The Foundation’s mission is to make cutting-edge cancer therapies accessible to patients worldwide. To achieve this, ICPO Centers operate under a model that emphasizes shared expertise, certified education, and standardized design and processes, ensuring the global implementation of best clinical practices. The ICPO Foundation has successfully established Collaborating Centers in Germany, China, India, Australia, Egypt, South Africa, Dubai, and the Philippines, with further expansion planned in various global locations.

Apollo Hospitals was founded in 1983 with a vision to provide healthcare on par with global standards. With over 60 departments led by internationally trained doctors, AHEL has become a preferred destination for patients from India and across the world. It has a robust presence in the healthcare ecosystem, offering routine wellness, preventive healthcare, life-saving treatments, and diagnostic services, impacting over 120 million lives.

The Apollo Cancer Centre (ACC), a dedicated oncology centre at Teynampet in Chennai, established in 1993 is currently a 250 bedded, NABH (National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Health care providers) accredited facility. The flagship cancer centre, ACC-Teynampet is a NABH certified healthcare provider, offering advanced care in oncology, neurosciences, plastic surgery. Over the last three decades, Apollo Cancer Centres has spread its network across India to cater to the rising incidences of Cancer adopting innovative technologies such as the 64 Slice digital PET-CT Scan, CyberKnife®, and TrueBeam STX radiotherapy. They currently have over 365 oncologists to oversee the delivery of high-end precision oncology therapy. The oncologists deliver world-class cancer care following an organ-based practice under competent Cancer Management Teams. Today, people from 147 countries come to India for cancer treatment at Apollo Cancer Centres.

Apollo Cancer Centres – Teynampet will guide ICPO in integrating international quality standards, processes, and procedures for precision oncology in India. The hospital will also provide center layout concepts and ideas, offering a potential framework for new ICPO centers while ensuring compliance with local regulations. As part of its collaboration, ACC will offer practical training opportunities at its facilities for physicians, chemists, physicists, technologists, and other participants, in line with ICPO certification and the ICPO Academy curriculum. In return, ICPO will boost Apollo Cancer Centres international visibility as an ICPO collaborating center. Additionally, ACCs will facilitate research and development collaborations and provide support to ICPO members in India.

Odile Jaume, CEO of the ICPO Foundation, conveyed her deep excitement for the partnership, stating: “This collaboration establishes Apollo Hospitals as a key partner within the ICPO network and in India, ushering in a new era in cancer care. Our goal is to expand patient access to cutting-edge Radiomolecular Precision Oncology therapy globally and to advance the ICPO Academy for Theranostics in partnership with leading institutions.

Dr M. Muralidharan, Director of Medical Education at Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, highlighted the significance of this partnership, stating: “Our collaboration with the ICPO Foundation positions our Theranostic Center at the forefront of the shift towards precision oncology in India. Being part of the ICPO Collaboration Network allows us to tap into a wealth of knowledge and forge connections with leading experts worldwide, enriching our approach and expanding our capabilities in this rapidly evolving field.”
MB Bureau