Translating AI research into clinical reality. July 20, 2026. * Written by * Time reading Driving scientific discovery with machine intelligence: an interview with Romana Pernisch. * 15/07/2026 The launch of the first ICAI Unit - IMAGINE. Since 2018, ICAI has been at the forefront of building impactful and sustainable collaborations between universities, industry, and the public sector. While the existing ICAI labs have become a nationwide standard for research-driven collaboration, there is a significant increase in the need to create even more direct impact by translating research outcomes into applicable and adoptable AI solutions. Inspired by the way that University Medical Centers and some other organizations have started to organize themselves to optimize for impact, ICAI has established a new format: the ICAI Unit. An ICAI Unit includes the same key elements as an ICAI lab - PhD students working on co-owned research questions - but on a much larger scale. While the labs typically host 5 to 20 PhD students for five years, a unit involves 40 or more researchers and operates for an indefinite period of time. This format is closely tied to an organization's ongoing core innovation pipeline and facilitates every aspect of implementation, from prototyping and usability studies to navigating regulation and organizing professional education. The first ever ICAI Unit launched is called IMAGINE (Open Innovation Lab for the development and implementation of Image-guided interventions), and it is led by Prof. Dr. Nico van den Berg at University Medical Center (UMC) Utrecht. The mission of the unit is using AI to make image-guided treatments better, faster, and more accessible for everyone, rooted in the UN Sustainable Development Goals for improved health and reduced inequalities. To manage this ambitious program, IMAGINE uses a three-tier governance structure that connects strategic vision with daily operations: * Strategic Level: The General Assembly safeguards the partnership's boundary conditions, while the Steering Committee (chaired by Prof. Dr. Nico van den Berg, and Innovation Officer Dr. Maarten van Kouwen) identifies trends and maintains the strategic course. * Tactical Level: The Strategic Portfolio Team, the IMAGINE LTP program committee, and the User Committee manage the innovation process and content. * Operational Level: Individual Work Packages execute the scientific work and innovations. This structured approach allows IMAGINE to execute its scientific research through specialized work packages that target different stages of the research-innovation chain. Compared to the lab, the key distinctive factor and added benefit of the unit is focused on a long-term mission to improve global health and reduce inequalities, its work extends far beyond the typical five-year research cycle. Achieving a sustainable social benefit in a highly regulated sector such as the medical one requires a deep commitment to the importance of validation through usability studies and clinical evaluations, ensuring that AI solutions actually work for patients and staff in real-world conditions. Furthermore, to move past theoretical research and toward actual adoption, the unit manages all necessary ethical and legal checks, including data-sharing protocols and compliance with institutional requirements. This comprehensive understanding of how actual implementation is done allows IMAGINE to differentiate itself from a regular ICAI lab, transforming AI research into a socially responsible tool that remains accessible and effective for everyone over the long term. The unit functions as a multi-disciplinary public-private partnership designed to unite critical stakeholders (including hospitals, universities, and research institutes) to accelerate innovation in image-guided interventions. Established at the UMC Utrecht, IMAGINE brings together academic leaders such as TU Eindhoven, Radboud UMC, and Utrecht University with industrial and societal partners like NKI, Lygature, Catharina Hospital, Elekta, Philips. To ensure that these innovations translate into professional practice, the partnership also involves Universities of Applied Sciences, such as Fontys, to directly apply new research into the clinical curriculum. This unit also has a dedicated space at UMC Utrecht where its industrial partners like Philips and Elekta can work alongside clinicians and researchers. This eliminates the "splendid isolation" of traditional research, ensuring that technical experts are physically present in the clinic and can understand better the real-world workflows. In an interview conducted with Prof. Dr. Nico van den Berg and Dr. Maarten van Kouwen, they explained that the long-term nature of the unit is essential because in the medical technological and medicine field, it takes time to have an impact as it is a highly regulated sector. They also mentioned that technology has a direct human benefit, emphasizing that AI enables healthcare teams to finish their work faster and more accurately, which reduces the strain on patients as well as the workload for staff. IMAGINE is more than a project. It is a community of over 90 specialized researchers, including 60 PhDs and 15 postdocs. They are looking beyond the math that is behind the Machine Learning or Computer Vision; the researchers of this unit are focused on making AI responsible and explainable so that doctors can trust the results. Dr. Maarten van Kouwen emphasizes that practical approaches to AI innovation come from being present in the hospitals and carefully listening to clinicians; from actually understanding the workflow and the challenges in the clinic. The unit's extensive research projects are divided into work packages: WP A1: CBCT clinical workflow enhancements. WP A2: MR guided Radiotherapy clinical workflow enhancement for improved precision & productivity. WP B1: Clinical Imaging for Diagnostics and workflow enhancement. WP B2: Clinical MR Imaging for Radiotherapy workflows. WP C1: Preclinical AI development. WP C2: Preclinical Sensor development for image guided interventions. WP C3: Preclinical Imaging Methodology improvements originating from current clinical practice. WP D: Focus of the D work packages is knowledge generation, evaluation and uptake of innovation. This unit is featured on the ICAI website, where more information is presented about this new format and its characteristics, alongside the mission statement, research projects, partners, and the team. * 23/02/2024 * 21/03/2024 * 04/04/2024

News details. Trade Compliance Case study: how Elekta transformed Carbon Compliance into a competitive advantage. Shruti Sharma Jun 10, 2026 As the European Union introduced the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), companies exporting carbon-intensive goods to the EU began facing new obligations related to embedded emissions reporting, data transparency, and carbon cost accountability. Elekta, operating in a globally integrated manufacturing and supply chain environment, required a structured and reliable mechanism to ensure full CBAM compliance for its EU-bound shipments. To meet these requirements, Elekta partnered with 4PL Consultancy Ltd. to establish a dedicated CBAM compliance support model. Acting as an extension of Elekta's trade compliance and sustainability teams, the 4PL function was responsible for end-to-end CBAM data management, emissions coordination, documentation validation, and reporting support. Today, the 4PL CBAM team manages the full compliance lifecycle - from supplier emissions data collection and validation to CBAM reporting readiness, emissions mapping, and stakeholder coordination ensuring that Elekta remains fully compliant with evolving EU regulations while maintaining supply chain efficiency. Client challenge. Elekta operates a complex global supply chain with manufacturing and sourcing activities spread across multiple countries, with significant exports into the European Union. With the introduction of CBAM, Elekta faced several key challenges: * New regulatory requirement to report embedded carbon emissions for EU-bound products * Lack of standardized emissions data across global suppliers * Difficulty aligning production data with CBAM reporting formats * Increased coordination between sustainability, logistics, and trade compliance teams * Need for supplier engagement across multiple geographies * Complex validation requirements for emissions calculations * Risk of non-compliance penalties due to inaccurate or incomplete data * High internal workload for managing CBAM readiness alongside existing compliance functions Without a structured system, managing CBAM obligations internally would have created significant operational and regulatory risk. The 4pl CBAM compliance solution. To address these challenges, Elekta implemented a dedicated CBAM compliance support model managed by 4PL Consultancy Ltd. The 4PL CBAM team functions as a centralized Carbon Compliance Control Tower, responsible for coordinating all CBAM-related activities across the supply chain. Rather than limiting its role to data collection, the 4PL team provides end-to-end CBAM governance, including: * Supplier emissions data collection and coordination * Embedded emissions calculation support (direct & indirect emissions) * CBAM data validation and consistency checks * Alignment of product-level data with EU CBAM reporting requirements * Cross-functional coordination between procurement, logistics, and sustainability teams * Preparation of CBAM reporting submissions * Audit-ready documentation management * Exception handling and discrepancy resolution * Ongoing regulatory tracking and advisory support This model transformed CBAM compliance from a fragmented internal process into a centralized, structured, and auditable compliance framework. End-to-end CBAM compliance management. 1. Supplier Engagement & Data Collection The CBAM process begins with structured engagement with Elekta's global supplier network. The 4PL team coordinates the collection of: * Production process emissions data * Energy consumption details * Material composition data * Manufacturing location-specific inputs * Supporting sustainability declarations Suppliers are guided to provide standardized CBAM-aligned datasets to ensure consistency across regions. 2. Embedded Emissions Mapping The 4PL team supports the classification and mapping of: * Direct emissions (manufacturing processes, fuel combustion, industrial operations) * Indirect emissions (electricity and purchased energy usage) This ensures that emissions are accurately categorized in line with CBAM methodology. 3. Data Validation & Quality Control Before submission, all emissions data undergoes structured validation checks, including: * Completeness of supplier data * Consistency with production volumes * Alignment with CBAM calculation methodology * Identification of data gaps or anomalies * Verification readiness assessment This significantly reduces the risk of rejection or audit issues. 4. CBAM Reporting Preparation The 4PL team prepares CBAM-ready reporting datasets, ensuring: * Structured formatting aligned with EU CBAM requirements * Product-level emissions attribution * Traceability of emissions sources * Documentation readiness for submission cycles 5. Compliance Coordination & Advisory Support In addition to data management, the 4PL team provides ongoing advisory support on: * CBAM regulatory updates and reforms * Reporting timelines and obligations * Interpretation of EU guidance documents * Risk identification and mitigation strategies * Internal alignment between business units Impact on Elekta's supply chain. The implementation of a dedicated CBAM 4PL support model delivered significant operational and compliance benefits: * Centralized and standardized emissions data management * Improved accuracy and consistency in CBAM reporting inputs * Reduced internal workload for sustainability and trade teams * Stronger supplier engagement and accountability * Enhanced readiness for regulatory audits and EU compliance checks * Reduced risk of penalties due to incomplete or inaccurate reporting * Faster and more structured CBAM reporting cycles Conclusion. CBAM represents a fundamental shift in global trade compliance, requiring companies to integrate carbon transparency directly into supply chain operations. Through its partnership with 4PL Consultancy Ltd., Elekta has successfully transitioned from a fragmented compliance approach to a centralized, structured, and scalable CBAM governance model. This enables Elekta to: * Maintain uninterrupted access to the EU market * Ensure regulatory compliance with CBAM requirements * Improve supply chain transparency and sustainability reporting * Build long-term readiness for future CBAM expansion across additional sectors Know first. Follow closely and receive content about our company and the news of the current market.

Elekta presents advancements in mr-guided radiotherapy at ESTRO 2026. By News Release Published Date: May 20, 2026 Recent research showcased at the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) 2026 conference in Stockholm has emphasized significant strides in MR-guided adaptive radiotherapy across various cancer types. Elekta, the medical technology company, announced findings from over 120 studies by more than 30 international institutions, focusing on cancer treatments for breast, lung, pancreas, liver, kidney, and bladder, among others. The new data underscores the benefits of high-quality imaging paired with adaptive techniques in refining radiotherapy delivery. This approach may facilitate more precise and less invasive treatments that maintain clinical efficacy. John Christodouleas, MD, MPH, Elekta's Head of Medical Affairs and Partner Research, highlighted the value of seeing the targets during treatment, stating, "The emerging evidence at ESTRO demonstrates how this principle manifests in the everyday reality of clinical care." Prostate Cancer: Towards Shorter Treatments In a plenary session, the HERMES study from The Royal Marsden examined the use of two-fraction MR-guided radiotherapy for prostate cancer facilitated by the Elekta Unity MR-Linac. This technology allows clinicians to visualize the prostate and adjacent organs in real-time, adapting the treatment delivery - a crucial step when higher dose levels per session are involved. The study indicated favorable tolerability and the potential to drastically reduce the length of treatment protocols, which could lower the healthcare burden for patients. Rectal Cancer: Supporting Organ Preservation Research presented from the University of Tübingen's MARS protocol demonstrated that MR-guided adaptive radiotherapy using the Elekta Unity MR-Linac aids in organ preservation strategies in rectal cancer patients. Effective dose escalation and adaptive treatment approaches have shown high response rates, enabling the possibility of non-operative management without the need for immediate surgery and preserving bowel function. Liver Metastases: Enhanced Precision Treatments A comprehensive international analysis from the MOMENTUM and OligoCare registries focused on patients with liver oligometastases. It was noted that while stereotactic radiotherapy maintains strong tumor control, MR-guidance provides enhanced precision, potentially reducing the need for higher doses required by standard CBCT-guidance. This capability allows effective treatment delivery in challenging anatomical conditions, thereby improving the therapeutic ratio.