Centres of Excellence
Established in 2009, the US-based Focused Ultrasound Foundation’s Centres of Excellence program recognises luminary sites for their excellence in translational and clinical research, training, and patient care. There are currently four 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.
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To hear from researchers at ICR and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, visit our Meet the Experts page.
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.
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To hear from researchers at the University of Oxford, visit our Meet the Experts page.
Imperial College London and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust | London, England
In October 2025, Imperial College London and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust were designated as a Center of Excellence, recognising the site’s pioneering role in applying focused ultrasound in both neurology and obstetrics. The institution brings together multidisciplinary expertise in neuroscience, fetal medicine, imaging, engineering, and clinical research, positioning it as a leader in advancing noninvasive therapies for some of the most challenging diseases and conditions. Researchers at Imperial College London have achieved several world-firsts in the field, including the first bilateral focused ultrasound treatment for essential tremor, the first clinical trial to treat Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome, and the first European study using focused ultrasound for human brain stimulation. Imperial is the UK’s lead centre for MR-guided focused ultrasound thalamotomy, having treated more than 185 patients and helping secure national NHS commissioning.
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To hear from researchers at the Imperial College London, visit our Meet the Experts page.
University College London and King’s College London | London, England
University College London (UCL) and King’s College London (KCL) have long been leaders in advancing focused ultrasound for the benefit of patients. The joint designation recognizes their substantial contributions and combined strengths, including aligned therapeutic strategies and collaborative operating models involving clinical research, PhD supervision, resource sharing, and mentorship. As a Center of Excellence, UCL and KCL work together to accelerate translational research, improve patient outcomes, and serve as a global hub for education, collaboration, and innovation. These London sites are advancing focused ultrasound for the treatment of prostate cancer, movement disorders, liver tumors, brain tumors, and more.
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To hear from researchers at UCL and KCL, visit our Meet the Experts page.
See a full list of the Centres on the US-based Foundation’s site.