First NaviFUS System in Europe Officially Inaugurated at Centre Léon Bérard
Following its installation earlier this year, the first NaviFUS system in Europe has now been officially inaugurated at Centre Léon Bérard (CLB) in Lyon, France, marking an important milestone for focused ultrasound research in Europe.
The inauguration took place on October 14, 2026, bringing together clinical, scientific, academic, and regional partners involved in the project.
Centre Léon Bérard is a leading French cancer center, and the NaviFUS system will support research into focused ultrasound-mediated blood-brain barrier (BBB) opening for brain metastases.
Focused Ultrasound and Blood-Brain Barrier Opening for Brain Metastases
The blood-brain barrier plays an essential role in protecting the brain, but it also limits the ability of many therapeutic agents to reach brain tissue.
Centre Léon Bérard notes that approximately 98% of drug molecules are unable to cross the BBB, creating a major challenge in treating cancers that have spread to the brain.
NaviFUS uses focused ultrasound to enable the BBB to be opened temporarily, precisely, and reversibly, allowing researchers to investigate whether systemic therapies can more effectively reach brain lesions.
This research direction is particularly relevant to brain metastases associated with breast and lung cancers, where drug delivery to the brain remains a significant clinical challenge.
From Installation to Future Clinical Research
The project brings together expertise from Centre Léon Bérard, LabTAU, Inserm, and Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, with regional support including the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region through FEDER and SHAPE-Med@Lyon.
Centre Léon Bérard has also announced plans for a first clinical trial in 2027 to evaluate the safety and efficacy of NaviFUS-enabled BBB opening for brain metastases related to breast and lung cancers.
As these plans continue to develop, the inauguration represents an important step in preparing the technology and research environment for future clinical investigation.
A New Chapter for NaviFUS in Europe
For NaviFUS, seeing the first system in Europe move from installation to official inauguration marks another step in the international development of the platform.
The project also expands NaviFUS into a new research direction at the intersection of focused ultrasound, oncology, and drug delivery.
We are grateful to Centre Léon Bérard, LabTAU, Inserm, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, and all of the clinical, scientific, and institutional teams supporting this project.
We look forward to seeing how this research progresses and to continuing the shared effort to explore new possibilities for patients facing challenging brain diseases.
NaviFUS | Curing disease with sound.
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Centre Léon Bérard
Inauguration of NaviFUS, a European first for brain metastaseshttps://www.centreleonberard.fr/institution/actualites/inauguration-navifus-premier-europe-contre-metastases-cerebrales