Portugal's Quantum Leap: Inside the Landmark Deal for Cancer Care

PORTO, Portugal – June 30, 2026 – In a move poised to fundamentally reshape cancer treatment within its borders, Portugal is set to establish its first National Proton Therapy Center. The project, a culmination of years of ambition and strategic planning, will see two state-of-the-art Proteus®ONE proton therapy systems from global leader IBA installed at the prestigious Instituto Português de Oncologia do Porto (IPO-Porto). The contract's entry into effect marks a pivotal moment, transforming a long-held national goal into a tangible reality with a 2029 target for treating the first patients.

This development is more than a simple equipment acquisition; it represents a paradigm shift in the nation's healthcare landscape. For decades, Portuguese patients requiring this highly precise form of radiation therapy—particularly children—had no choice but to travel abroad, facing immense logistical, financial, and emotional burdens. The new center in Porto effectively ends this era of medical exile, heralding a new age of domestic access to one of the world's most advanced cancer-fighting technologies.

A New Horizon for Portuguese Patients

The human impact of this initiative cannot be overstated. Proton therapy's key advantage lies in its precision. Unlike conventional X-ray radiation, which deposits energy along its entire path through the body, a proton beam can be calibrated to stop and release the bulk of its cancer-killing energy directly within a tumor. This “Bragg peak” effect drastically reduces collateral damage to surrounding healthy tissues and critical organs.

This precision is especially vital for pediatric patients, whose developing bodies are acutely vulnerable to the long-term side effects of radiation, including developmental issues and secondary cancers. It is also a game-changer for adults with tumors in complex locations, such as the brain, spinal cord, head, and neck. For these patients, the new center represents not just convenience, but the possibility of better outcomes and an improved quality of life post-treatment.

Dr. Julio Oliveira, Chairman of the Board of Directors of IPO-Porto, powerfully articulated the project's significance. “The awarding of this equipment is the moment the National Proton Therapy Centre becomes irreversible,” he stated. “For years, we worked toward a single goal: that Portugal could finally offer its patients — including children — the high-precision treatment that today forces them abroad. That future now has a date.”

The center will be integrated into IPO-Porto, already a titan of oncology in Europe. The institute treats over 11,000 new patients and delivers more than 71,000 radiotherapy sessions annually, making it one of the largest radiotherapy centers on the continent. The addition of proton therapy elevates its already comprehensive capabilities, which include advanced techniques like IMRT and SBRT, to a new echelon of care.

The Technology Driving the Transformation

At the heart of this advancement are the two Proteus®ONE solutions from Belgium's IBA. These systems are at the vanguard of a trend toward more compact, efficient, and clinically flexible proton therapy technology. The single-room design makes it more feasible for institutions like IPO-Porto to integrate this complex technology without the massive footprint and construction costs of older, multi-room facilities.

Each system utilizes advanced Pencil Beam Scanning (PBS), a technique that essentially “paints” the tumor with radiation, layer by layer, with sub-millimeter accuracy. This enables Intensity Modulated Proton Therapy (IMPT), the most sophisticated form of the treatment available. The technology is paired with state-of-the-art image guidance, including an in-room cone-beam CT scanner and a 6D robotic couch, to ensure the patient and the tumor are perfectly positioned for every treatment session.

This meticulous approach is what allows oncologists to confidently treat tumors adjacent to the optic nerve, heart, or spinal cord, areas where even the slightest error with conventional radiation could be catastrophic. The side-by-side installation of two identical systems is a strategic choice designed to maximize clinical availability, ensuring that maintenance on one unit does not halt the center's ability to treat patients.

“In line with our mission and strategy to make innovative proton therapy solutions accessible to more patients who can benefit from that modality of cancer treatment, we are proud to have been selected to install the first proton therapy center in Portugal,” commented Olivier Legrain, Chief Executive Officer of IBA. “We look forward to working with IPO-Porto, renowned for its expertise in oncology, to establish the country’s most advanced cancer care center.”

The Strategic Blueprint of Public-Private Synergy

The project's realization is a masterclass in strategic collaboration, funded through a powerful alliance between public and private entities. The public tender awarded to IBA was launched following an agreement between the Amancio Ortega Gaona Foundation (FAO), the Portuguese Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Territorial Cohesion, and IPO-Porto. The involvement of the FAO, founded by the creator of the Inditex fashion group, represents one of the most significant healthcare patronage projects in Portugal's history and mirrors a similar large-scale proton therapy investment the foundation has made in Spain.

While IBA states the typical end-user price for a single Proteus®ONE system with a multi-year maintenance contract ranges from €35 to €45 million, reports suggest the award for these two units was secured for a total of €53 million. This figure, below the typical market range, underscores the strategic importance of the project and the competitive, collaborative nature of the procurement process. For the Portuguese government, this is a cornerstone investment in its National Health Service, fulfilling a key strategic priority.

The long-term partnership extends beyond installation, as the contract includes an extended period of operation and maintenance services provided by IBA. This ensures the technology remains at peak performance and that IPO-Porto staff benefit from the manufacturer's deep expertise, guaranteeing the sustainability of this multi-million-euro investment.

Cementing Porto as a European Oncology Hub

Beyond its immediate patient benefits, the National Proton Therapy Center is set to bolster Portugal's standing on the international stage. IPO-Porto is already a deeply integrated member of Europe's top oncology circles, holding memberships in five European Reference Networks (ERNs) and accredited as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the prestigious Organization of European Cancer Institutes (OECI).

The addition of this cutting-edge capability will not only enhance its role within these networks but also supercharge its research and development activities. The center will become a hub for clinical trials and translational research in proton therapy, attracting top talent and fostering innovation. This positions Porto not just as a national leader, but as a key destination in Europe for advanced cancer care, research, and potentially medical tourism, solidifying its reputation as a city at the forefront of science and medicine.