State Announces Completion of Innovative Technology at Irvington Research Facility

In an important announcement that positions Westchester County as a hub for innovation, Empire State Development recently announced the completion and installation of Columbia University’s $2.7 million custom designed and manufactured linear accelerator, or LINAC, booster at its Radiological Research Accelerator Facility (RARAF) in Irvington.

The LINAC booster will allow scientists at Columbia University and other cancer research institutions to better understand how radiation therapy with carbon and other heavy ions work in patients with hard-to-treat malignancies. The completion and installation of this LINAC booster establishes Columbia University as the only institution in the United States with an instrument dedicated to research on heavy ion radiation therapy.

“Projects such as Columbia University’s linear accelerator perfectly represent the goals of the state’s regional approach to economic development through the Regional Council process. By identifying projects in the life science cluster, a priority of the region, we can grow the Mid-Hudson’s life sciences workforce, increase opportunities for entrepreneurship and growth and most importantly, identify treatments that will result in better health outcomes for all,” said Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chairs Dr. Marsha Gordon, President & CEO of The Business Council of Westchester, and Dr. Kristine Young, President of SUNY Orange.

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, “The completion of Columbia University’s linear accelerator (LINAC) booster at the Radiological Research Accelerator Facility (RARAF) in Irvington is an exciting milestone in the fight against cancer. I’m proud of New York State’s $400,000 investment through the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council for this project and the jobs it will retain and create, to ensure that Westchester County is leading the way against pancreatic, breast, prostate, and more hard-to-treat cancers. The scourge of cancer has impacted almost every family in some way, and I look forward to the progress that will be made.”

Westchester County Executive George Latimer said, “We are pleased to serve as the home of this innovative technological advancement that will help improve patient care and allow for a foundation to treat this disease more thoroughly, while providing new forms of therapy.”

The Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council recommended a $400,000 Empire State Development Capital Grant towards the purchase and installation of this instrument. Not only will the LINAC booster allow researchers to uncover the full potential of heavy ion radiation therapy, it will retain 20 existing jobs and create seven new jobs.