MagCorp, Philips partner to bring power of MagLab research to MRI tech
A formal agreement between Tallahassee-based MagCorp and Royal Philips, a leading healthcare technology company, is designed to improve the future of magnetic resonance imaging, better known as MRI.
MagCorp serves as the go-between for Philips and the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory or MagLab at Innovation Park. The partnership creates a direct path for researchers and scientists to offer consultations and develop a report on the future landscape for MRI magnets.
“This is an incredibly exciting frontier because MRIs have changed modern medicine through the use of magnets. They’ve essentially replaced exploratory surgery in most cases,” said Greg Boebinger, the MagLab’s director.
Every magnet used for clinical purposes has been grounded in materials discovered in the 1960s, Boebinger said. New materials are now available that can completely change the medical landscape.
These materials could take MRIs to high definition and reveal new insights inside the body.
When asked what his long-term hope is with the Philips partnership, Boebinger said the company is one of the country’s leading MRI magnet manufacturers. The Mag Lab specializes in magnetic research, writing the textbooks that will be used by the next generation of scientists and engineers.
“There’s always been this gulf that’s difficult to bridge between basic research and the marketplace,” Boebinger said. “This represents a huge step forward in an area of mutual interest where we’re building that bridge.”
Roughly four years ago, members of the Magnetic Task Force, Mag Lab staffers and others were trying to court companies to Tallahassee. The specialized committee wanted to attract companies with magnetic enablement in their products, services or operations.
Those involved began asking more targeted questions to get at the root of what Philips needed. They got an answer: MRI technology.
It was an aha moment for Tallahassee, considering an MRI is a giant magnet and the capital city was home to the world’s largest magnets.
The connection was clear, and soon a mutually beneficial relationship was forged through site visits and regular communication.
MagCorp was tagged to “seal the deal.” The private company, made up of former MagLab employees, was created to connect the MagLab with the private sector.
Confidentiality clauses were activated, and, over time, Tallahassee officials, researchers and others had a better understanding of how the company and the city could partner.
The goal of the partnership will be to achieve the betterment of MRI technology, including a smaller carbon footprint and fewer environmental impacts from manufacturing, recycling and operating MRIs. It could also be building them at a lower cost or making them faster and smaller.
“They were really open with us about the fact that they viewed this partnership as a multi-year, multi-million-dollar relationship,” Whalen said. “This was not going to be a flash in the pan.”
This is a huge step toward bridging the gap of our @FloridaState, @NationalMagLab research and the actual marketplace.
— Brian Welch (@CommishWelch) December 1, 2022
We must pursue ways to leverage the cutting edge research conducted in our community with economic development and job creation. https://t.co/BJ7x36ur9z
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