On June 11, 2026, St. Joseph’s Health Care London unveiled Canada’s first BIOGRAPH One PET/MR scanner at Lawson Research Institute, marking a significant milestone for medical imaging in Canada.
Bringing PET and MRI together to help researchers see disease differently
The first-in-Canada installation brings together positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in one integrated system.
For researchers and clinicians, this means the ability to see both detailed anatomy and biological activity in a single imaging environment, supporting more comprehensive insights into complex diseases and opening new possibilities for earlier detection, diagnosis and research.
For patients, the potential impact is meaningful. By combining the strengths of PET and MRI, BIOGRAPH One is designed to support a more patient-centred pathway, helping care teams gather precise information that can guide more personalized approaches to care.
A new chapter for advanced imaging in Canada
Located at Lawson Research Institute, the innovation arm of St. Joseph’s Health Care London, the BIOGRAPH One installation will support health research and clinical excellence across a range of important health areas.
The scanner is expected to support research into cancer, stroke, neurological disorders, mental illness, chronic pain and workplace injuries. It may also help researchers better understand mental health conditions by supporting more precise imaging insights.
For Lawson scientist Jean Théberge, PhD, certified clinical Medical Physicist specialized in MRI, the technology represents an important step forward in hybrid imaging. “BIOGRAPH One is a very exciting piece of technology in the sense that it increases the sensitivity of the PET system. And the MRI system brings in all of the new technology that has been developed in the last 15 years or so in MRI and PET, all in one machine,” said Dr. Théberge.
Supporting discovery through collaboration
St. Joseph’s has a long history of leadership in imaging, with a number of international and Canadian firsts in imaging research and clinical care. The first-in-Canada BIOGRAPH One installation continues that legacy, supported by strong collaboration among St. Joseph’s Health Care London, Lawson and Siemens Healthineers in Canada.
It also reflects the partnerships that have become a hallmark of St. Joseph’s. BIOGRAPH One is a key element of Lawson’s Workplace Injury Research Network, and its introduction was made possible through an investment from Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board in partnership with the WorkSafe Ontario Fund.
“This milestone reflects our team’s deep commitment to bringing one of the most advanced imaging technologies to Canada,” said Sebastien Deval, head of MRI business, Siemens Healthineers Canada. “Seeing BIOGRAPH One installed at Lawson is incredibly rewarding. It shows how innovation can directly support clinicians and researchers in delivering better care and driving new discoveries.”
Beyond the milestone itself, the installation comes at a time when Canadian health systems continue to face growing demand for earlier diagnosis, more precise care and improved patient outcomes. Access to advanced imaging technologies plays an important role in research, leading to improved clinical decision making.
“Collaboration is at the heart of what makes achievements like this possible,” said Gerald Moran, PhD, head of research, innovation and scientific engagement, Siemens Healthineers Canada. “We’re proud to partner with St. Joseph’s and Lawson to support research that will expand our understanding of disease, including neurodegenerative diseases and Alzheimer’s disease, and ultimately improve patient outcomes across Canada.”
Shaping the future of PET/MR
BIOGRAPH One represents the next evolution of PET/MR imaging. By combining high PET sensitivity with advanced 3T MRI performance, the system is designed to provide detailed, multi-dimensional insights that can help healthcare providers deliver better care for patients with more precise insights that can treat with confidence.