Guwahati is set to host Northeast India’s first private medical cyclotron facility at AIDC Industrial Estate, Bonda. The ₹62-crore project, being developed by Nucleomed Cyclotron Facilities, is expected to strengthen cancer diagnosis and treatment infrastructure in the region.

Key Facts

• The foundation stone was laid by Olivier Legrain, Chief Executive Officer and Vice-Chairman of Ion Beam Applications (IBA), Belgium.
• The proposed facility will have an 18 MeV cyclotron with a production capacity of 30 curies of Fluorine-18 Fluorodeoxyglucose (F-18 FDG).
• It will supply radioactive isotopes to Positron Emission Tomography–Computed Tomography (PET-CT) centres across the Northeast and other regions.
• The facility will also produce short and ultra-short half-life isotopes and establish a dedicated theranostics centre for cancer and other diseases.
• Estimated at ₹62 crore, the project was initiated in November 2025 under Advantage Assam 2.0 and is targeted for completion by September 2027.

What is a Medical Cyclotron?

A cyclotron is a particle accelerator that uses electromagnetic fields to accelerate charged particles. In medical applications, it is used to produce radioisotopes required for diagnosing and treating diseases.

• F-18 FDG is a radioactive glucose-based tracer used in PET scans to identify areas of increased metabolic activity, particularly in cancer diagnosis.
• Theranostics combine therapy and diagnostics to identify disease targets and deliver targeted treatment.
• Short-lived radioactive isotopes need nearby production facilities because their radioactivity decreases rapidly with time.

Significance

• The facility will reduce dependence on isotope supplies from distant locations and improve access to advanced cancer diagnostics.
• It can strengthen regional healthcare infrastructure and support research in nuclear medicine.
• With suitable regulatory approvals and logistics, the facility may explore supplying medical isotopes to neighbouring Southeast Asian markets.

Regulatory Framework

The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) regulates radiation safety and nuclear installations in India. The proposed facility’s heavy structural design has received AERB approval, as reported.

Exam Hook: Key Takeaway

Guwahati’s proposed 18 MeV medical cyclotron will support the production of F-18 FDG and other medical radioisotopes, strengthening cancer diagnosis and theranostics in Northeast India.

One-line wrap: The project represents an important step towards making advanced nuclear medicine more accessible in the Northeast.