Centres of Excellence

Established in 2009, the US-based Focused Ultrasound Foundation’s Centres of Excellence program recognizes luminary sites for their excellence in translational and clinical research, training, and patient care. There are currently two Centres of Excellence in the UK.

The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden | London, England

In September 2013, the Foundation and Philips entered an innovative public-private collaboration with the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) and The Royal Marsden National Health Service Foundation Trust to create a Center of Excellence in London. The Center created a state-of-the-art resource for clinicians and scientists working on focused ultrasound therapy, developing clinical evidence in oncology, and establishing best practices, treatment standards, and protocols.

University of Oxford | Oxford, United Kingdom

In October 2023, the University of Oxford became Europe’s fifth Center of Excellence and eleventh worldwide. Focused ultrasound research has been a hallmark of the Oxford multidisciplinary ecosystem since 2004. In clinical research, the site is exploring focused ultrasound for ablation of pancreatic tumors and soft tissue sarcomas. Beyond ablation, the team is investigating focused ultrasound as a tool for drug delivery, using thermal mechanisms for mild hyperthermia—triggered drug delivery from thermosensitive liposomes and cavitational mechanisms. The Center of Excellence draws on the expertise of over 23 principal investigators devoted to focused ultrasound research and work in collaboration with industrial partners and other Centers of Excellence around the world to expand the range of novel ultrasound therapies for the benefit of patients.

See a full list of the Centres on the US-based Foundation’s site.