Nucletron strengthens position in cancer radiation therapy market
29 June 2009
Dutch radiation therapy systems company Nucletron BV has announced
the creation of an exclusive partnership and plan to merge with sector
peer Isodose Control BV for an undisclosed sum.
The two companies, headquartered in Veenendaal and Ede, the
Netherlands, are complementary and consider that the combination will
strengthen Nucletron's position as global leader in the market for
high-precision radiation therapy equipment and software, or
brachytherapy.
"By combining strengths we will become the undisputed global market
leader in brachytherapy, which offers quality, safe and effective
treatment options for the most frequently occurring kinds of cancer,"
said Jos Lamers, CEO of Nucletron.
Nucletron is the world's number one medical equipment provider in the
brachytherapy market, with a strong focus on customer support; Isodose
Control has grown in six years to become number three and has an
impressive product innovation track record.
"Isodose Control has developed a range of innovative brachytherapy
products and has a promising range in development. Together with
Nucletron, we look forward to speeding up the market introductions of
these innovations to healthcare institutions and their patients
worldwide," said Eric van't Hooft, CEO of Isodose Control BV.
Van't Hooft in fact founded Nucletron in 1975 and built it into a
successful technology company, before merging it to Dutch stock
exchange-listed Delft Instruments NV in 1994. Van't Hooft left nine
years later to found Isodose Control in 2003.
Van't Hooft, who was awarded a knighthood and the title Commander in
the order of the Dutch Lion for his services to science, will become a
member of the Executive Management team of Nucletron and will hold the
title of Founder.
Nucletron reported a record EBITDA of €17
million on net sales of €112.4 million in
2008.
Growing demand for cancer radiation therapy
According to the World Health Organisation, new cases of cancer will
jump from 11.3 million in 2007 to 15.5 million in 2030, influenced in
part by an increasing and aging global population.
The global market for radiation therapy equipment is projected to
reach $3.9 billion by 2015, according to estimates by Global Industry
Analysts.
Brachytherapy is regarded as one of the best treatment options for a
growing range of cancer types, including cancer of the prostate, breast
and cervix. The radiation source used for killing the cancer cells and
shrinking the tumours is placed in or close to the tumour itself.
This precision approach allows doctors to concentrate the dose of
radiation in a smaller area, significantly reducing damage to nearby
healthy cells and organs. In addition, there are significantly fewer
side effects and treatment times are significantly shorter - usually
spanning a few days instead of weeks as required in the case of external
beam radiotherapy.
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