THERYQ and Gustave Roussy have been selected as part of the “i-Démo” France 2030 call for projects

THERYQ, a French company specializing in the development of FLASH radiotherapy systems, and Gustave Roussy, the leading French and European center for cancer research, ranked 4^th worldwide, are selected as part of the “i-Démo” / France 2030 call for projects for the “FLASHDEEP” project, with a budget of 38 million euros.

FLASHDEEP will be the world’s first FLASH radiotherapy device using very high-energy electrons (VHEE; > 100 MeV). The particle acceleration technology developed by THERYQ stems from research initiated by the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) and the University Hospital of Lausanne (CHUV).

The first clinical FLASHDEEP device will be installed in France, at Gustave Roussy, late 2026, to conduct clinical trials with eligible patients. This system will be able to treat deep solid tumors up to 20 cm thanks to a high-energy electron beam and a dose rate a thousand times higher than that used in conventional radiotherapy. FLASHDEEP represents a major technological advancement in the fight against cancer, offering the prospect of a more effective, better tolerated, shorter, and therefore cheaper treatment than conventional radiotherapy, with no equivalent on the market today.

« THERYQ’s mission is to revolutionize cancer treatment by launching a new radiotherapy process called “FLASH.” An advanced technique aiming to reduce irradiation time to just a fraction of a second, thus replacing multiple radiotherapy sessions while preserving the patient’s healthy tissues. This technology offers the opportunity to treat more cancers resistant to today’s radiotherapy treatments, paving the way for a more effective, less invasive, and less toxic treatment for cancer patients,” says Ludovic Le Meunier, CEO of THERYQ. He also adds: “Thanks to this funding obtained following an excellent collaboration with the DGE and Bpifrance, THERYQ aims to make all types of solid cancer a manageable condition, allowing FLASH radiotherapy to unleash its curative potential. »

« By irradiating more than 3000 times faster, we can achieve the same anti-tumor effect with fewer toxicities and fewer side effects or increase the irradiation dose on resistant tumors for cancers with less favorable prognoses. The French company THERYQ is the first to have demonstrated the “FLASH” effect based on the use of electrons emitted at very high rates. The first trials will start in 2027 and will focus on inoperable pancreatic and brain cancers. But before that, we need to deepen our knowledge in radiobiology and medical physics to develop new dose calculation methods linked to this new technology,” explains Professor Eric Deutsch, head of the Radiotherapy department at Gustave Roussy.

Thanks to the funding provided by Bpifrance as part of France 2030, THERYQ and Gustave Roussy will bring together biologists, physicists, and physicians to conduct the necessary preclinical and clinical studies to demonstrate the improved tolerance and efficacy of FLASHDEEP compared to conventional radiotherapy. They will also submit the CE marking application so that French and European patients in need can benefit from this new therapeutic option as quickly as possible.

In parallel, THERYQ plans to build and equip its industrial platform to enable the launch of the first machines, followed by mass production of FLASHDEEP devices and the start of their commercialization in Europe. This industrial deployment project also represents a great economic opportunity for France, with the creation of more than 600 direct and indirect jobs in the country. Ultimately, it will lead to the revival of a French radiotherapy industrial sector, a field that has been neglected since the late 1980s.

About THERYQ

THERYQ, a subsidiary of the French group ALCEN, is an innovative medical technology company specialized in the design, manufacturing, and marketing of FLASH radiotherapy systems. THERYQ aims to expand the use of radiotherapy in oncology and develop new treatments for cancer patients. The company aims to improve patient care and have a positive impact on their quality of life by providing effective, precise, and ultra-short radiotherapy treatments.

To learn more about THERYQ: www.theryq.com

About Gustave Roussy

Ranked as the top French center, top European, and fourth worldwide, Gustave Roussy is a comprehensive expertise hub entirely dedicated to patients living with cancer. The Institute is a founding pillar of the Paris-Saclay Cancer Cluster biocluster. As a source of therapeutic innovations and diagnostic advances, the Institute welcomes nearly 50,000 patients each year, including 3,500 children and adolescents, and develops an integrated approach between research, care, and education. A specialist in rare cancers and complex tumors, Gustave Roussy treats all types of cancer, at all ages. It offers its patients personalized care that combines innovation and humanity, where both treatment and physical, psychological, and social quality of life are taken into account. With 4,100 employees spread across two sites, Villejuif and Chevilly-Larue, Gustave Roussy brings together the expertise necessary for high-level cancer research; 40% of treated patients are included in clinical studies. To learn more about Gustave Roussy and follow the Institute’s news: www.gustaveroussy.fr, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram.

To learn more about Gustave Roussy and follow the Institute’s news: www.gustaveroussy.fr.

About France 2030

• Translate a dual ambition: to transform key sectors of our economy (health, energy, automotive, aerospace, and space) through technological innovation, and to position France not only as a player but as a leader in the world of tomorrow. From fundamental research to the emergence of an idea to the production of a new product or service, France 2030 supports the entire life cycle of innovation until its industrialization.
• Is unprecedented in its scale: €54 billion will be invested to ensure that our companies, universities, and research organizations fully succeed in their transitions in these strategic sectors. The challenge: to enable them to competitively address the ecological and attractiveness challenges of the coming world and to bring forth the future leaders of our excellence sectors. France 2030 is defined by two transversal objectives consisting of dedicating 50% of its expenditure to the decarbonization of the economy, and 50% to emerging actors, bearing innovation without expenditures detrimental to the environment (in the sense of the Do No Significant Harm principle).
• Will be implemented collectively: conceived and deployed in consultation with economic, academic, local, and European stakeholders to determine strategic orientations and flagship actions. Project leaders are invited to submit their files through open, demanding, and selective procedures to benefit from state support.
• Is led by the General Secretariat for Investment on behalf of the Prime Minister and implemented by the Agency for Ecological Transition (ADEME), the National Research Agency (ANR), Bpifrance, and the Bank of Territories.

More information on: france2030.gouv.fr | @SGPI_avenir

About Bpifrance

Bpifrance finances companies at every stage of their development, providing credit, guarantees, and equity. It supports them in their innovation projects and internationally, and also ensures their export activity through a wide range of products. Advice, university education, networking, and acceleration programs for startups, SMEs, and intermediate-sized enterprises (ETIs) are also part of the services offered to entrepreneurs. Thanks to Bpifrance and its 50 regional locations, entrepreneurs benefit from a close, unique, and effective contact to help them meet their challenges.

For more information: www.Bpifrance.fr – www.presse.bpifrance.fr – Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): @Bpifrance – @BpifrancePresse