INITIO Medical moves ahead on Theranostics

VANCOUVER – INITIO Medical has been recognized by The International Centers for Precision Oncology Foundation (ICPO) as the first ICPO Theranostics Clinical Center of Excellence in Canada and North America. This accreditation underscores INITIO Medical’s commitment to advancing Theranostics and delivering high-quality, patient-centered care.

Odile Jaume, CEO of the ICPO Foundation, expressed her enthusiasm about INITIO Medical Theranostics Center in Burnaby-Vancouver, Canada, joining the ICPO Center Network and stated: “We are proud to recognize INITIO Medical as the first ICPO Theranostics Clinical Center of Excellence in Canada – and so far in North America. Our accreditation scheme follows the international guidelines established by SNMMI, EANM, ENETS, and IAEA ensuring the highest standards in Theranostics clinical practice.

“The recognition was formally presented to Dr. Philip Cohen and Mina Bechai during the ICPO Reception & Center Certification Ceremony held in Barcelona last October 4, 2025 – right before the EANM annual meeting. We plan to establish a strong collaboration with INITIO Medical stressing education through the ICPO Academy for Theranostics and INITIO’s on-site training resources, this will result in further strengthening ICPO´s mission to advance Theranostics and expand patient access to this innovative therapy in Canada and globally.”

Mina Bechai, Founder and CEO of INITIO Medical, said: “This recognition is a significant achievement for our team and a testament to our dedication to advancing precision oncology. We are honored to be the first in North America to receive this accreditation and look forward to collaborating with the ICPO Foundation to expand access to Theranostics and improve patient outcomes.”

Dr. Francois Lamoureux, president of the Canadian Association of Nuclear Medicine (CANM), also commented on the achievement: “The recognition of INITIO Medical as the first ICPO Theranostics Clinical Center of Excellence in North America is a proud moment for Canada. It reflects the growing expertise and leadership in nuclear medicine within our country. This milestone will inspire further advancements in Theranostics and ensure that Canadian patients have access to the highest quality nuclear medicine services.”

Earlier this year, in January, INITIO Medical Group became Western Canada’s first site to purchase and install the innovative GE HealthCare Omni Legend PET/CT system with cardiac capabilities. This advanced technology helps to enhance the region’s diagnostic and treatment landscape, particularly in the realm of oncology due to its ability to deliver more than two times the sensitivity of prior GE HealthCare digital scanners, enabling faster total scan times and impressive small lesion detectability.

The addition of the Omni Legend PET/CT underscores INITIO Medical Group’s commitment to pioneering advancements in nuclear medicine and theranostics. Nuclear medicine is a specialized field employing small amounts of radioactive materials to diagnose and treat diseases, notably cancer. The technology provides impressive precision in tumor visualization and targeting, essential in the fight against cancer.

Theranostics, an innovative approach combining therapy and diagnostics, is poised to revolutionize personalized cancer care. This method leverages molecular imaging and targeted treatments to tailor therapy plans to individual patient needs, with the goal of enhancing treatment efficacy while minimizing side effects. Such advancements have the potential to improve the quality of life for patients navigating the daunting cancer landscape.

“As we move forward, it is crucial to remember that cancer affects us all,” Bechai said. “By investing in nuclear medicine and theranostics, we invest in brighter futures for countless individuals and families touched by this disease.”

In Canada, access to advanced cancer treatments is limited, with effective therapies often out of reach for many patients who frequently turn to costly alternatives abroad. Currently, Canada ranks 24th out of 32 OECD countries in the number of PET scanners per capita. INITIO Medical Group aims to change this narrative by working alongside provincial authorities to expand healthcare infrastructure, ensuring cutting-edge diagnostics and treatment options are available to all, regardless of financial situation. The installation of the Omni Legend PET/CT scanner is a step towards bridging this gap, helping to support the possibility of improved outcomes for cancer patients with access.

About INITIO Medical Group
INITIO Medical Group is at the forefront of advancing cancer care through innovative medical solutions in radiopharmaceuticals and is dedicated to advancing the field of Theranostics through innovative clinical practices and strategic partnerships. With a focus on precision oncology, INITIO Medical is committed to expanding access to state-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutic solutions, improving patient outcomes, and contributing to Canada’s health sovereignty in cancer treatment. Our mission is to bridge gaps in healthcare, working collaboratively with provincial authorities to increase access to life-saving technologies in Canada. For more information, visit www.initiomedical.ca.

According to the company website, INITIO is Western Canada’s only private PET/CT scan facility. With over 20 years experience, it offers Rapid PET/CT and CT scans and nuclear medicine treatments with no wait list. INITIO has diagnostic scanning for cancer, cognitive impairment, and cardiac sarcoidosis, and now, offers prostate cancer therapy. With this latest addition, INITIO Medical Group reaffirms its commitment to providing the most advanced and effective treatments to its patients. It is proud to offer Lu-177 PSMA therapy and looks forward to the positive impact it will have on the lives of those affected by prostate cancer.

About the ICPO Foundation
The International Centers for Precision Oncology Foundation (ICPO) is a nonprofit organization established in 2019 under German law by leading international medical practitioners and life sciences entrepreneurs. The ICPO Foundation aims to scale global patient access to Radiomolecular Precision Oncology, a highly targeted cancer therapy with low side effects and improved efficacy. By building a collaborative network of certified ICPO Centers and providing world-class education through the ICPO Academy for Theranostics, the foundation is driving the adoption of innovative cancer care worldwide. For more information, visit www.icpo.foundation.