Source: Economic Daily News (Taiwan)

Heron Neutron Medical and B dot Medical Partner to Advance Next-Generation Particle Therapy Across Asia

 

Heron Neutron Medical Corp. (TWSE: 7799) announced on June 25 that, to accelerate the expansion of its core products across the Pan-Asian market, it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Tokyo-based B dot Medical Inc. The partnership will focus on four key areas: Pan-Asian market development, establishment of next-generation particle therapy centers, exchange and integration of advanced medical technologies, and mutual regulatory recognition between Taiwan and Japan. Together, the two companies aim to open a new frontier for advanced particle therapy across Asia. 

Heron Neutron Medical stated that this cross-disciplinary collaboration also reshapes the conventional perception of the relationship between Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) and proton therapy. Proton therapy utilizes the Bragg Peak effect to precisely control where radiation energy is deposited within the body. In contrast, BNCT employs low-energy neutron beams in combination with tumor-targeting boron compounds, creating a dual-targeting mechanism that selectively destroys cancer cells with high precision. 

Heron Neutron Medical emphasized that the two treatment modalities differ significantly in their mechanisms of action and serve complementary roles across different clinical indications. As a result, medical centers worldwide that have already implemented or are planning to introduce proton therapy are also actively evaluating the adoption of the rapidly advancing Accelerator-Based BNCT (AB-BNCT) technology. 

B dot Medical Inc. originated from the National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS), now part of the National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST) in Japan. Leveraging its proprietary superconducting magnet beam-bending technology, the company has developed compact proton therapy solutions that can be deployed in space-constrained environments. Looking ahead, these systems have strong potential to be integrated with Heron Neutron Medical's domestically developed AB-BNCT platform, enabling the creation of highly efficient next-generation particle therapy centers capable of meeting growing healthcare demands. 

From a regulatory and quality management perspective, both Heron Neutron Medical and B dot Medical have established comprehensive medical device quality management systems and obtained ISO certifications in Taiwan and Japan, respectively. This partnership represents not only a strategic business alliance but also a significant accelerator for international market expansion, with the potential to substantially improve the efficiency of cross-border regulatory approvals and certifications. 

Through deep collaboration spanning market development, technological innovation, and regulatory alignment, both companies expect to drive the next wave of global advancements in particle therapy and create new possibilities for precision cancer treatment worldwide. 

Heron Neutron Medical Corp. and Japan's B dot Medical Inc. have signed a MOU to advance collaboration in next-generation particle therapy.