As reported by The Straits Times, Oct 16, 2025
Singapore has taken a significant leap forward in medical imaging with the launch of the Siemens Biograph Vision Quadra, a cutting-edge total-body PET/CT scanner now housed at the National University Hospital (NUH). The scanner, part of the newly established Molecular Imaging and Theranostics Centre jointly set up by NUH and NUS Medicine, is set to transform cancer diagnosis and research in Singapore.
A Breakthrough in Speed and Safety
Unlike conventional scanners, the Biograph Vision Quadra offers eight times the sensitivity, allowing doctors to detect cancer and monitor its spread more quickly and accurately. Patients will experience shorter scan times—under five minutes—and up to 80% less radiation exposure, making the process both faster and safer.
Professor Khong Pek Lan, head of diagnostic imaging at NUH, called the system a “transformative leap forward in medical imaging.” The scanner can capture a wider imaging area of over one metre—four times that of traditional systems—enabling doctors to see the entire body in a single scan.
Advancing Research and Treatment
Beyond diagnostics, the new facility aims to drive innovation in radiopharmaceuticals, molecular imaging, and theranostics—a growing field that merges diagnosis and targeted therapy. The centre will develop new radiotracers and radioligands, substances that can locate and attack cancer cells directly.
NUH and NUS Medicine have signed a memorandum of understanding with Siemens Healthineers to accelerate clinical research and training for future imaging specialists. The collaboration is expected to support more than 2,900 patients annually while serving as a hub for clinical trials and technological advancement.
Strengthening Singapore’s Role in Global Healthcare Innovation
This initiative cements Singapore’s role as a regional leader in medical technology and cancer research. As Siemens Healthineers’ Managing Director Siow Ai Li noted, molecular imaging “plays a pivotal role in detecting minute abnormalities such as metastases that can significantly influence treatment decisions.”
The new system, she said, will not only enhance early detection but also contribute to a more personalised, precise approach to healthcare — bringing science, speed, and safety together for the next generation of patients.
