GERMANY – Siemens Healthineers has entered into a landmark 12-year collaboration with the University Hospital Nantes (CHU de Nantes) to bring cutting-edge diagnostic and interventional imaging technology to 13 public hospitals in the Loire-Atlantique region, known as Territoire 44.
The agreement, valued at €55 million (US $59.7 million), represents the largest healthcare partnership of its kind in France and aims to enhance patient care through state-of-the-art equipment, research, education, and sustainable operations.
The collaboration focuses on modernizing imaging equipment across the 13 hospitals supported by University Hospital Nantes.
Siemens Healthineers will replace existing equipment with advanced technology, including nine computed tomography (CT) scanners, which feature the option of photon-counting CT technology.
They will also install six magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems utilizing Siemens Healthineers’ virtually helium-free MRI technology.
In addition to CT and MRI machines, the program will also install 30 mobile C-arms with digital capabilities and nine angiography systems designed to enhance image-guided interventions in neurology, cardiology, radiology, and surgery.
Ensuring a seamless transition to new facilities by 2027
As part of the agreement, Siemens Healthineers will assist University Hospital Nantes during its move to a new main facility by 2027, ensuring continuity of care throughout the transition.
The program, known as PIMENT (Partnership for the Medical Imaging of the Establishments of Territory 44), provides financial stability and long-term planning security, making it easier for hospitals to adopt the latest innovations in medical imaging.
“This purchasing strategy is an opportunity for the department’s medical teams and patients as they will benefit from cutting-edge solutions and high-level care—also in the context of the preparations for the new hospital,” said Philippe El Saïr, CEO of University Hospital Nantes.
“In addition, this bold initiative includes all of our 13 public hospitals in Territory 44 and will contribute in a major way to putting the sites on an economically equal footing.”
Supporting research and education in medical imaging
The PIMENT program goes beyond technology upgrades. Siemens Healthineers will establish a research laboratory focused on fundamental and applied medical imaging research.
This partnership includes funding to support local research projects, along with dedicated staff such as clinical scientists, a research director, and doctoral students who will be involved in advancing medical imaging science over the next 12 years.
Siemens Healthineers will also provide continuous training for medical teams, ensuring that healthcare professionals remain up-to-date on the latest equipment and digital tools.
Enhancing sustainability in healthcare
Sustainability is a core element of this partnership. Siemens Healthineers will upgrade existing MRI systems to extend their lifecycles and reduce environmental impact.
By installing new virtually helium-free MRI systems, which require less than one liter of helium compared to hundreds of liters in older models, the hospitals will significantly reduce their consumption of this scarce resource.
Siemens will also offer energy monitoring infrastructure and consulting services to help the hospitals further reduce energy consumption.
Bernd Ohnesorge, president of Europe, Middle East, and Africa at Siemens Healthineers, expressed gratitude for the University Hospital in Nantes’ trust and highlighted the partnership as a pioneering collaboration with a major public university hospital network in Europe.
“The PIMENT program will enable us to jointly move forward in establishing more sustainable delivery of patient care while enhancing clinical outcomes through scientific collaboration—always having the benefit of patients in mind,” Bernd said.
In addition to the €55 million (US $59.7 million) partnership with University Hospital Nantes, Siemens Healthineers recently signed a 10-year, €40 million (US $43.4 million) agreement with St. Vincent’s Private Hospital in Dublin.
This deal covers radiology and cardiology technology, with plans for AI integration and the phased replacement of over 50 key assets.
The agreement also includes facility redesign, service improvements, and workforce development.
St. Vincent’s Private Hospital, Dublin’s largest acute private hospital, shares resources with St. Vincent’s University Hospital, serving 470,000 patients annually.
