Proton Partners International (www.proton-int.com) — a medical-device manufacturer that is developing the UK’s first proton-beam therapy centres — has signed up to a two-year research project with the University of Liverpool.

They will jointly develop a new measurement system — known as 3-D Water Phantom — to improve the accuracy of proton-beam therapy treatment. This will use pixelated silicon detectors — first developed at CERN, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research.

Proton Partners International is building a series of oncology centres known as The Rutherford Cancer Centres, which will offer proton beam therapy, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, imaging and wellbeing services. The company's first centre in Newport, South Wales, will be the first in the UK to offer proton beam therapy.

Professor Anthony Hollander, associate pro-vice-chancellor for enterprise at the university, said: “We are delighted to be working with the UK’s leaders in proton-beam therapy to develop a new commercial system to improve delivery.

“By working together, we will ensure that Liverpool becomes one of the world leaders in proton-beam therapy research.”