10 Years of Hope – 10 Years of the Future
2026 marks a significant milestone in MedAustron’s history: MedAustron is celebrating 10 years since treating our first patient—and a decade of groundbreaking research.
We look back with pride on the past years, during which MedAustron has grown steadily and achieved many milestones. At the same time, we are looking ahead: Ambitious expansion plans are already underway and will enable even more patients to access radiation therapy with protons or carbon ions in the future.
MedAustron: Milestones in a Success Story
The timeline spanning 1989 to 2026 vividly illustrates not only the many milestones of the past ten years of operation, but also the significant achievements that have made the Center a reality. Together, they form a solid foundation for a future filled with innovation, progress, and hope.
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1989
Origins
The concept for the “AUSTRON” neutron spallation facility, the three-part MedAustron feasibility study, and the subsequent MedAustron design study together represent a major milestone in the conceptual preparatory work. -
2004
Implementation
A resolution by the Council of Ministers paves the way for the implementation of MedAustron, and an agreement between the Republic of Austria, the State of Lower Austria, and the City of Wiener Neustadt ensures support for the project’s implementation. -
2007
Founding
MedAustron, the company responsible for the construction and operation of the facility, was founded, and partnerships with CERN, CNAO, and INFN were established. -
2011
MedAustron Groundbreaking Ceremony
The groundbreaking ceremony marked the official start of MedAustron's construction activities. -
2012-2015
Installation, Commissioning & Certification
The construction and commissioning of the particle accelerator and the medical technology was a complex undertaking, and the facility was also certified as a medical device. -
2012
Housewarming MedAustron
The building was completed after a record construction period of just 18 months. -
2014
First beam in the treatment room
For the first time, the particle beam was successfully directed into the first treatment room. -
2016
Launch of Non-Clinical Research
In collaboration with the Ministry of Science, beamline time has been made available for non-clinical research since 2016. -
14.12.2016
First patient treated with protons
In December 2016, the time had come: the first patient was treated at MedAustron. -
2017
Pediatric patients
A few months later, the first child also underwent radiation therapy. -
2017
Second room for patients
An additional treatment room makes it possible to treat more patients. -
2017
First clinical trial approved
To date, more than 2,600 patients (as of June 2026) have been enrolled in the registry study. MedAustron is currently conducting four active clinical trials, as well as two in collaboration with other institutions, while three additional clinical trials are in the planning stages. In addition, MedAustron serves as a treatment center for three pediatric studies. -
2018
Vertical beam line in operation
Whereas all irradiation has been performed from a horizontal direction up to now, it is now also possible to do so from a vertical direction. -
2019
First patient treatment with carbon ions
The first carbon-ion treatments are being administered. Carbon-ion therapy takes MedAustron to a whole new level. This makes MedAustron one of only six centers worldwide capable of using two types of particles for radiation therapy. -
2019
Carbon Ions
Carbon Ions was made available for non-clinical research. -
2021
1,000 patients treated
More than 1,000 cancer patients have been treated since the facility opened. -
2022
First patient treated with the gantry
The first patient underwent radiation therapy in the third treatment room. A gantry allows the proton beam to be directed at tumors from different angles. -
2023
Helium beam in IR1 for the first time
The beam of helium ions was successfully guided through the entire particle accelerator and into the research chamber. This fulfilled the technical requirements for the subsequent operating license. -
2023
2,000 patients treated
Already 2,000 patients have been treated with protons or carbon ions. -
2024
Mixed ion beams
In 2024, the first successful measurement of a mixed helium and carbon ion beam was carried out at a clinical accelerator facility. -
2024
Choroidal melanoma treatment
The first patient with choroidal melanoma was treated with protons using a system developed in-house. Until now, this had only been possible at specialized eye treatment centers. -
2025
Operating Permit for Helium Ions
With the approval to operate helium ions, MedAustron is expanding its portfolio of particle types—though for the time being, this is limited to research purposes. -
2025
First patient treated with gating
Respiratory gating synchronizes radiation delivery with the patient's breathing cycle, which allows for even more effective treatment of tumors in the chest or upper abdomen in particular.