Yves Jongen receives the 2026 Global Health Catalyst Distinguished Industry Leader Award for his pioneering leadership in particle accelerator technology and for advancing global access to proton therapy
Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium – 21 September 2026 7 a.m. – IBA (Ion Beam Applications S.A., EURONEXT), the world leader in particle accelerator technology, today announced that its Founder and Chief Technology Officer, Yves Jongen, has received the 2026 Global Health Catalyst Distinguished Industry Leader Award on Saturday 19 September at the Global Health Catalyst Celebration & Awards Dinner at Harvard University, in Boston, USA. These awards have been presented since 2015 to leaders whose work has had a significant local and global impact in oncology and health, recognizing individuals, ideas and initiatives that contribute to the advancement of global health, cancer care and economic development.
The Committee recognized Yves Jongen for his "pioneering leadership in particle accelerator technology and proton therapy," and for its "extraordinary contributions to transforming innovation into technologies that have advanced cancer treatment around the world." It further noted that, as the founder of IBA, its vision "helped move proton therapy from scientific possibility toward a globally deployed cancer treatment technology," highlighting his sustained commitment to making proton therapy "more compact and accessible" — an approach the Committee described as exemplifying "exceptional science-to-impact leadership."
The Committee further emphasized that Yves Jongen’s work represents an outstanding example of how “the power of industry, science, entrepreneurship, and global collaboration can translate breakthrough ideas into technologies that improve and save lives,” noting that, through the creation of IBA, he helped build a science-driven company that collaborates with leading institutions around the world to develop technologies that can give more patients access to life-changing cancer treatment.
" I am deeply honored to receive this award and sincerely grateful to the Global Health Catalyst Awards Committee for this recognition. I feel both humbled and proud, as this distinction also reflects the dedication of the many people I have had the privilege to work with over the years. Together, we have sought to turn innovation into practical solutions that make proton therapy more accessible, so that more patients around the world can benefit from this advanced form of cancer treatment," said Yves Jongen, Founder and Chief Technology Officer of IBA.
" It is a privilege to work every day alongside someone as inspiring as Yves Jongen. This award is a well-deserved recognition of his exceptional vision, pioneering spirit and lasting contribution to cancer care. Following the path he has opened, all of us at IBA remain committed every day to making advanced diagnostic and cancer treatment technologies more accessible to the patients," commented Olivier Legrain, Chief Executive Officer of IBA.
The award was presented on Saturday 19 September at the Global Health Catalyst Celebration & Awards Dinner at Harvard University, during the Global Health Catalyst Summit 2026, held from 18 to 21 September at Harvard/MIT in Boston, Massachusetts. Yves Jongen received the award in front of a prestigious audience of clinicians, researchers and global health leaders gathered at the Richard B. Simches Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital / Harvard Medical School. The selection was made by the Global Health Catalyst Awards Committee, which comprises members of the Summit's Organizing Committee and previous award recipients.
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About IBA
IBA (Ion Beam Applications S.A.) is the world leader in particle accelerator technology. The company is the leading supplier of equipment and services in the fields of proton therapy, considered one of the most advanced forms of radiation therapy available today, as well as industrial sterilization, radiopharmaceuticals, and dosimetry. The company, based in Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, employs approximately 2,300 people worldwide. IBA is a certified B Corporation (B Corp) meeting the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance.
IBA is listed on the pan-European stock exchange EURONEXT (IBA: Reuters IBAB.BR and Bloomberg IBAB.BB). More information can be found at: www.iba-worldwide.com.