Elekta announce first order for elekta synergy(TM) in Germany

ELEKTA ANNOUNCE FIRST ORDER FOR ELEKTA SYNERGYtm IN GERMANY University of Würzburg, Germany, has ordered the Elekta Synergytm S, the next generation of linear accelerators for image-guided radiation therapy of cancer (IGRT), adapted also for stereotactic radiation therapy. While intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) has increased the precision of radiation delivery, organ motion still presents an obstacle to delivering the radiation with high accuracy. Elekta Synergytm S will provide imaging of the patient's organs in treatment position and at time of treatment so physicians at University of Würzburg will be able to adjust their protocol based on the daily position of target and critical organs. The order includes the new and advanced X-ray Volume Imaging (XVI) equipment for high resolution 3-D imaging of the patient in the treatment position as well as other equipment such as PrecisePLAN®, the Elekta 3-D planning system that integrates the planning functions associated with Elekta Synergytm. While Elekta Synergytm systems have been ordered from other parts of Europe, this order from the leading radiation therapy institution at University of Würzburg is the first in Germany. The initial delivery will comprise of the basic system components, Elekta Synergytm Platform, Stereotactic Body Frame®, Active Breathing Coordinator and PrecisePLAN®. The price range for a complete package for planning and delivery of image-guided and stereotactic radiation therapy is approx. 2.5-2.9 MUSD, depending on scope of supply and specifications. Today, over half of the radiation therapy systems now being shipped by Elekta worldwide are Elekta Synergytm Platform, a linear accelerator ready to accept XVI imaging and advanced Beam Modulation in the future. This rapid acceptance of Elekta's equipment for IGRT is partly based on the result of the successful work of the four research sites that form the Elekta Synergytm research group; · Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Canada · William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Michigan, USA · Christie Hospital, Manchester, UK · The Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI), Amsterdam, The Netherlands Currently the unique X-ray Volume Imaging (XVI) technology is only installed on the four systems of this research group, which is currently developing image-guided protocols to reduce or eliminate the problem of organ motion. The Elekta Synergytm research platforms provides 3-D volume imaging of soft and bony tissue, adding accuracy to the precision of conformal techniques such as IMRT. 3-D volume imaging will provide more and better information for clinicians to make informed decisions on new clinical techniques that target cancer with higher precision and with less risk for complications. *********** For further information, please contact: Product inquiries: Dee Mathieson, VP Product Management, Elekta, E-mail: dee.mathieson@elekta.com Investor inquiries: Peter Ejemyr, Group VP Corporate Communications, Elekta AB (publ), Phone: +46 8 587 254 00, e-mail: peter.ejemyr@elekta.com Pictures of Elekta Synergytm are available at http://www.elekta.com/media Elekta is a world-leading supplier of advanced and innovative radiation oncology and neurosurgery solutions and services for precise treatment of cancer and brain disorders. Elekta's solutions are clinically effective, cost efficient and gentle to the patient. For additional information about Elekta, please visit www.elekta.com ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/09/18/20030918BIT00610/wkr0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/09/18/20030918BIT00610/wkr0002.pdf