IBA sells first carbon beam therapy system
23 Sept 2010
Belgian company IBA has sold the prototype of its next
generation carbon therapy system to French company CYCLHAD (cyclotron
pour l'hadronthérapie), a joint venture between IBA, French company
Saphyn and financial partners.
IBA has also signed a research and development agreement with Saphyn
to jointly develop the potential of carbon beam therapy. These
agreements will enable IBA to continue its commitment towards
providing next generation cancer therapy techniques and personalized
patient care.
IBA will supply the prototype of its next generation carbon
therapy system based on an advanced 400 MeV superconducting
isochronous cyclotron able to accelerate carbon ions used in cancer
therapy.
IBA will be responsible for the research, development and
validation of all technical and scientific equipment, and for the
installation of the cyclotron in CYCLHAD's research centre in Caen,
along with one fixed beam clinical research room and one fixed beam
physics research room. IBA will also provide a 15-year service
contract on the system.
IBA will receive a payment of between €60
and 70 million for the equipment and services, dependant on CYCLHAD
obtaining the necessary bank financing. As the system is a
prototype, this contract will have a very limited impact on IBA
profits.
"Carbon shows enormous potential as a powerful solution for
difficult problems in the radiotherapy of cancer. Its ability to
treat tumours that have had the reputation of being
radiation-resistant can be crucial when treating cancers in areas
such as the head and neck," said Yves Jongen, founder and CRO of
IBA.
"As a pioneer in proton therapy, IBA is dedicated to making the
most accurate cancer treatments available to radiation oncologists
and patients through new developments that maximize our expertise.
This is also the first IBA system using the technology of
superconducting magnets which is likely to revolutionize cyclotron
technology in the coming years. IBA is pleased to partner with
public and semi-public institutions in the Caen area and share the
same mission to develop novel techniques that could benefit patient
health on a global scale."
IBA has sold 18 proton therapy systems worldwide. A form of
radiotherapy, proton therapy delivers a precise dose of protons to a
tumour to kill cancer cells while sparing healthy surrounding
tissue. IBA is now entering into new treatment techniques such as
carbon therapy, a more powerful and precise method to treat tumours,
in particular ones which show resistance to radiology treatments.
Higher doses can be delivered to the tumour without increasing the
risk of side effects and long term complications, thereby minimizing
the number of treatment sessions needed and improving treatment
results and patient quality of life.