The University Hospital of North Norway (UNN) is the largest healthcare institution in Northern Norway, serving approximately 500,000 people across the counties of Nordland, Troms, and Finnmark. As the region's university hospital, UNN plays a central role in specialized healthcare, medical education, research, and innovation. The hospital employs more than 6,000 staff members and provides care to approximately 400,000 patients annually.

UNN is currently pursuing recognition as a Comprehensive Cancer Centre, reflecting its commitment to excellence in cancer diagnostics, treatment, research, and patient care. A key contributor to this ambition is the PET Imaging Center, which serves as a cornerstone of the hospital's precision medicine, molecular imaging, and cancer research initiatives.

The PET Imaging Center at The University Hospital of North Norway represents one of the most advanced molecular imaging and theranostics environments in the Nordic region. By integrating state-of-the-art imaging technology, radiopharmaceutical production, and translational research, the center provides a comprehensive platform for both clinical services and scientific innovation.

The PET Imaging Center infrastructure includes:

• Siemens Biograph One PET/MRI
• Siemens Biograph Vision Quadra Whole-Body PET/CT
• Siemens Biograph Vision PET/CT
• Two GE SPECT/CT systems

The center operates GMP-certified facilities for the production of PET radiopharmaceuticals and is supported by an on-site cyclotron, ensuring reliable isotope availability for both clinical and research applications. Dedicated hot laboratories, injection facilities for radionuclide therapy, and isolation units support a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

As an EARL-certified center for PET/CT, PET/MRI, and theranostics, the facility delivers high-quality, standardized imaging suitable for routine clinical practice, multicenter clinical trials, and international research collaborations. The infrastructure is further strengthened by extensive expertise in quantitative imaging and dosimetry, supporting the development and validation of next-generation imaging biomarkers and theranostic approaches.

PETcore: Preclinical and Translational Research Infrastructure

A key component of the PET Imaging Center is PETcore, a dedicated core facility jointly operated by UiT The Arctic University of Norway and the University Hospital of North Norway. PETcore provides advanced infrastructure for preclinical and translational research in molecular imaging, theranostics, and radiopharmaceutical development.

 PETcore offers a comprehensive suite of state-of-the-art research technologies, including:

• Integrated small-animal PET/SPECT/CT imaging
• Simultaneous PET/MRI imaging
• Stereotactic optical- and CT-guided irradiator
• Real-time autoradiography platform
• Fully equipped cell laboratory
• Advanced instrumentation for validation and characterization of novel radiotracers

This infrastructure enables seamless translation of discoveries from laboratory research to clinical implementation, supporting the development of new imaging biomarkers, radiopharmaceuticals, and targeted therapies.

Through its participation in the European Infrastructure for Translational Medicine (EATRIS), PETcore is connected to an extensive European network of research institutions, facilitating international partnerships and innovation in precision medicine and translational cancer research.

Research and Education

Research and innovation are integral to the mission of both the PET Imaging Center and PETcore. In close collaboration with UiT The Arctic University of Norway, researchers conduct translational cancer research aimed at accelerating the development and implementation of novel diagnostic tools, imaging biomarkers, radiopharmaceuticals, and targeted therapies.

Supported by PETcore's advanced preclinical infrastructure, new radiotracers and therapeutic strategies can be evaluated and optimized before being translated into clinical studies. This creates a seamless pathway from bench to bedside, strengthening UNN's role as a leading center for translational cancer research and precision medicine.

The center also plays an important role in education and capacity building, providing training for medical specialists, PhD candidates, MSc students, and healthcare professionals. Through these activities, it contributes to the development of the next generation of clinicians, researchers, and innovators in molecular imaging, nuclear medicine, and cancer care.

Opportunities for Collaboration

The PET Imaging Center offers a unique and comprehensive platform for collaboration throughout the research and development continuum. Its combination of advanced imaging technologies, GMP-compliant radiopharmaceutical production, in-house isotope supply, dosimetry expertise, and available scanner capacity makes it an attractive partner for:

• Drug development programs
• Early-phase and multicenter clinical trials
• Imaging biomarker development and validation
• Radiopharmaceutical development
• Theranostics research
• Translational cancer research
• Precision medicine initiatives

The integrated infrastructure allows researchers and industry partners to access expertise and capabilities spanning radionuclide production, preclinical research, clinical imaging, dosimetry, and therapeutic applications within a single ecosystem.

Strategic Partnerships

The PET Imaging Center actively collaborates with a broad range of stakeholders, including:

• Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies
• Academic and research institutions
• Government health agencies
• Funding organizations and research foundations

Through these partnerships, the center aims to advance innovation, improve patient outcomes, and contribute to the development of precision medicine and next-generation cancer care in Northern Norway and beyond.

Together, the PET Imaging Center and PETcore form a unique translational ecosystem that integrates radionuclide production, radiopharmaceutical development, preclinical research, advanced molecular imaging, clinical trials, and theranostics within a single infrastructure. By combining world-class technology, interdisciplinary expertise, and strong academic-clinical partnerships, UNN is uniquely positioned to accelerate innovation in precision diagnostics, targeted therapies, and next-generation cancer care in the Arctic region and beyond.