QuE-MRT Enters Its Next Phase: Progress in Quantum-Enhanced MRI in Germany

QuE-MRT Enters Its Next Phase: Progress in Quantum-Enhanced MRI in Germany 

• BMFTR-funded lighthouse project has been extended for two years until August 2028
• Development towards an integrated quantum-enhanced metabolic MRI workflow
• In collaboration with the QuE-MRT consortium partners, NVision is advancing POLARIS as a quantum-enhanced MRI platform towards clinical translation in Germany

Ulm, Germany, September 17, 2026 - NVision Quantum Technologies, a quantum technology company, today announced that the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) has extended the QuE-MRT[1] project by two years until August 2028. As part of this consortium, NVision is collaborating with other leading German scientists, clinical researchers, and technology companies to advance quantum-enhanced metabolic MRI towards clinical translation in Germany.

With a total project volume of about €20 million, QuE-MRT brings together expertise across quantum science, chemistry, medical imaging, engineering, and regulation to build the capabilities needed to establish a clinically and commercially viable end-to-end platform for producing, detecting, and visualizing quantum-enhanced metabolic hyperpolarized MRI agents for biomedical applications, paving the way for future clinical translation of next-generation imaging technologies in Germany.

Since 2022, the consortium has made significant advances across the complete hyperpolarized MRI workflow, contributing to more than 20 scientific publications. Partners have achieved higher polarization levels of key metabolic molecules, expanded the range of metabolic probes, developed standardized imaging and reconstruction methods, demonstrated preclinical applications at multiple medical centers, and established important technical and regulatory foundations for clinical translation.

Hyperpolarized MRI makes metabolic activity visible by temporarily amplifying the signal of special molecules injected into the body. This enables researchers to monitor disease activity in real time and assess treatment responses, rather than relying solely on changes in tissue size or structure.

“QuE-MRT brings together the critical expertise needed to translate scalable quantum innovation into useful medical applications. This connection between science, technology, and medicine is what makes the project so special,” said Dr. Sella Brosh, CEO and Co-Founder at NVision Quantum Technologies. “With the support of the BMFTR, we can build on the progress made so far and continue advancing hyperpolarized MRI towards clinical use.”

Progress across the platform

QuE-MRT is developing more than an individual technology or device. The partners are working across the complete process, from producing hyperpolarized molecules to capturing and analyzing their signals with MRI.

• Stronger signals and new metabolic probes: The consortium has improved the quantum-based process used to amplify the signals of metabolic molecules such as pyruvate. The work has enabled polarization at clinically relevant scales and has also expanded the approach to additional metabolic probes, including (Z)-oxomalonate derivative (Z-OMPD), α-ketoglutarate (α-KG), α-ketoisocaproate (α-KIC), and acetoacetate. Different probes can provide insights into distinct metabolic pathways and biological processes, potentially enabling a wider range of research applications.
• More standardized imaging: Hyperpolarized MRI measurements can be influenced by differences in scanners, imaging sequences, calibration, reconstruction, and data-analysis methods, making results from different research sites difficult to compare directly. The imaging partners have developed a clear standardized workflow across different MRI systems and research sites. These include shared imaging sequences, calibration tools, reference standards, reconstruction approaches, and data-analysis methods for both preclinical and clinical MRI scanners. Greater standardization makes it easier to compare results between institutions and lays the groundwork for larger multicenter clinical studies.
• Progress in preclinical research: The consortium has demonstrated preclinical applications of hyperpolarized metabolic imaging across three medical centers. POLARIS, NVision’s hyperpolarization technology, has been used as part of this work, helping partners evaluate the technology within real metabolic imaging workflows and across different research applications.
• Preparing POLARIS for clinical translation: In close collaboration with regulatory authorities, clinical partners, and healthcare stakeholders, the consortium is advancing NVision’s POLARIS platform towards a regulatory-compliant clinical system. The partners have made progress in developing a clinically viable PHIP-based hyperpolarization process, including work on dose scaling, purification, quality assurance, cassette design, and standardized clinical workflows. These advances represent an important step towards future deployment in the German healthcare system.

A network built around a shared goal

One of QuE-MRT’s central strengths is its interdisciplinary network. The project brings together leading universities and their respective university hospitals: Technical University of Munich, Ulm University, and the University of Freiburg. Other partners contribute expertise in quantum control, MRI technology, specialized hardware, engineering, and system integration. NVision coordinates the project and contributes its expertise in quantum-based hyperpolarization, POLARIS development, and the scaling of production and application workflows.

“What is most exciting about QuE-MRT is seeing an interdisciplinary team work so closely together to advance hyperpolarized MRI towards clinical application,” said Prof. Franz Schilling, Associate Professor for Biomedical Magnetic Resonance at Technical University of Munich. “It is the kind of collaboration that can move the field forward in ways that benefit not only science, but ultimately patients as well.”

By combining academic excellence, clinical experience, and industrial development, the partners are building capabilities that would be difficult for any one organization to establish alone.

Preparing the next stage

The scientific and technical advances achieved in QuE-MRT now provide the basis for the next step: preparing the technology for future clinical studies in Germany.

Building on the close collaboration with hospital pharmacies, clinical partners, regulatory experts, and the relevant German authorities, the consortium will continue advancing the POLARIS platform, its production workflow, and the broader ecosystem required to bring hyperpolarized metabolic imaging closer to clinical use.

The two-year extension allows university and clinical partners to continue preclinical research, test new hyperpolarized agents, and prepare for future clinical studies. It will also support continued work towards a regulatory-compliant clinical POLARIS system and workflow.

QuE-MRT shows how sustained public investment can connect scientific research with technical development and medical application. The project has already created important knowledge, methods, and infrastructure. Its next phase will build on that progress and strengthen Germany’s capabilities in quantum-enhanced metabolic imaging.

QuE-MRT project atlas | NVision POLARIS | QuE-MRT progress in quantum-enhanced MRI in Germany
 

About NVision Quantum Technologies

NVision is a quantum technology company focused on healthcare, with deep expertise in engineering and controlling the quantum properties of organic molecules. This approach underpins both its POLARIS platform, which enables real-time measurement of metabolism on standard MRI systems, and its quantum computing platform, Photonic Integrated Quantum Circuits (PIQC, pronounced “Pixie”). Together, these capabilities are helping bridge the gap between understanding disease and delivering effective therapies. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Ulm, Germany, NVision is backed by Playground Global, Entrée Capital, Matterwave/b2venture, Lauder Partners, Pathena Investments, The European Investment Bank and others. Learn more at nvision-quantum.com.

^[1] QuE-MRT is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space under the funding measure “Lighthouse Projects in Quantum-Based Metrology for Addressing Societal Challenges