Toshiba and IBA: partners in proton and carbon particle therapy
by Gus Iversen, Editor in Chief | April 09, 2015
Business Affairs
Proton Therapy
IBA's ProteusONE
Pairing proton therapy with carbon therapy — two cutting edge approaches to particle therapy — Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation and IBA have formed a powerful union. This strategic alliance will allow Toshiba to be the distributor of IBA's ProteusONE in the company's native Japan, meanwhile IBA — a Belgium-based leader in proton therapy — will become the agent for Toshiba's carbon therapy solutions in international regions outside of Japan.
Through this global collaboration, both companies hope to expand the worldwide footprints of each advanced particle therapy treatment. A press release on the partnership emphasized customer education as a key benefit to the arrangement, and included statements from the companies' respective CEO's.
"A closer collaboration with a company of Toshiba's caliber and leadership will accelerate the expansion of proton therapy in Japan and the introduction of Toshiba's carbon therapy across the world. Carbon ion therapy is particularly suitable for treating radio-resistant tumors and allows for dose escalation, which is recommended in a number of clinical applications," said Olivier Legrain, CEO of IBA.
Carbon therapy, a form of heavy ion therapy, is a less commercialized treatment than proton therapy — which has grown significantly in recent years. Currently there are no heavy ion facilities in the U.S., although that may soon change.
Satoshi Tsunakawa, CEO of health care company Toshiba Corporation, said: "Toshiba looks forward to collaborating with IBA to enhance access to best-in-class technologies for both proton and carbon therapy centers. Guided by the principles of The Basic Commitment of the Toshiba Group, 'Committed to People, Committed to the Future,' this collaboration will give both our companies an enhanced set of tools to provide the best cancer treatment technologies."
The collaboration — which does not appear to include IBA's multi-room proton system, the ProteusPLUS — will also enable both companies to mutually leverage their Operation and Maintenance (O&M) services.
Through this global collaboration, both companies hope to expand the worldwide footprints of each advanced particle therapy treatment. A press release on the partnership emphasized customer education as a key benefit to the arrangement, and included statements from the companies' respective CEO's.
"A closer collaboration with a company of Toshiba's caliber and leadership will accelerate the expansion of proton therapy in Japan and the introduction of Toshiba's carbon therapy across the world. Carbon ion therapy is particularly suitable for treating radio-resistant tumors and allows for dose escalation, which is recommended in a number of clinical applications," said Olivier Legrain, CEO of IBA.
Carbon therapy, a form of heavy ion therapy, is a less commercialized treatment than proton therapy — which has grown significantly in recent years. Currently there are no heavy ion facilities in the U.S., although that may soon change.
Satoshi Tsunakawa, CEO of health care company Toshiba Corporation, said: "Toshiba looks forward to collaborating with IBA to enhance access to best-in-class technologies for both proton and carbon therapy centers. Guided by the principles of The Basic Commitment of the Toshiba Group, 'Committed to People, Committed to the Future,' this collaboration will give both our companies an enhanced set of tools to provide the best cancer treatment technologies."
The collaboration — which does not appear to include IBA's multi-room proton system, the ProteusPLUS — will also enable both companies to mutually leverage their Operation and Maintenance (O&M) services.
You Must Be Logged In To Post A CommentRegisterRegistration is Free and Easy. Enjoy the benefits of The World's Leading New & Used Medical Equipment Marketplace. Register Now! |
|
