Elekta leads radiation therapy industry through innovation
ATLANTA, US, September 23 – Elekta’s strategy to be number one in the radiation therapy industry is built on developing advanced products, software and services, which will continue to drive strong growth, according to President and CEO, Tomas Puusepp. He spoke today at the Elekta Capital Markets Day in Atlanta, Georgia during the 55th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).
“Elekta’s 40-year history is built upon innovation,” he told the audience of analysts and investors. “And we continue to create history every day by inventing new, revolutionary products and solutions that effectively treat cancer and improve the lives of patients.” He said that Elekta is investing more in research and development than ever before, to improve patient care around the world.
Members of Elekta’s executive management presented several novel products and solutions at the Capital Markets Day, including Versa HD™, Elekta’s new flagship linear accelerator (linac). Dee Mathieson, Senior Vice President, Oncology Business Line Management explained how sales of Versa HD, which allows an unprecedented combination of High Dose Rate delivery and rapid MLC leaf speed, have exceeded expectations. It has been shipped to 13 countries since its launch in March. She also introduced Elekta’s new X-ray Volume Imaging (XVI) system that enables real-time X-ray monitoring of internal motion during radiotherapy delivery.
John Lapré, Executive Vice President, Elekta Brachytherapy said the launch of Esteya®, an elegant new approach to high-precision skin cancer treatment using electronic brachytherapy, was further proof of Elekta’s commitment to innovation. Other examples included development of the MR linac project, a solution that combines radiotherapy delivery and simultaneous magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); and how Elekta continues to drive the stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) market with Leksell Gamma Knife®. Todd Powell, Executive Vice President, Elekta Software, presented Monaco 5.0, the latest evolution of treatment planning software.
The Elekta Learning and Innovation Center (LINC) is another proof point of Elekta’s dedication to bringing better treatment to more people. LINC is designed to mirror a cancer center and will be a role model for Elekta’s global education and training program.
Renowned professors confirmed Elekta’s leading role as a pioneer and partner in cancer care. Professor Frederik Wenz, Director of the Department of Radiation Oncology of the University Medical Center Mannheim, Germany spoke about Elekta’s latest treatment possibilities. Dr. Dheerendra Prasad, Professor of Neurosurgery and Radiation Oncology, at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York recounted his 20 years experience of treating patients using Leksell Gamma Knife® Perfexion™.
Versa HD™ is not available for sale in all markets. Esteya® and Monaco 5.0 are pending 510(k) clearance.
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For further information, please contact:
Johan Andersson, Director, Investor Relations, Elekta AB
Tel: +46 702 100 451, e-mail: johan.andersson@elekta.com
Time zone: CET: Central European Time
Michelle Joiner, Director, Global Public Relations and Brand Management, Elekta
Tel: +1 770-670-2447, e-mail: michelle.joiner@elekta.com
Time zone: ET: Eastern Time
The above information is such that Elekta AB (publ) shall make public in accordance with the Securities Market Act and/or the Financial Instruments Trading Act. The information was published at 15:00 CET on September 23, 2013.
About Elekta
Elekta is a human care company pioneering significant innovations and clinical solutions for treating cancer and brain disorders. The company develops sophisticated, state-of-the-art tools and treatment planning systems for radiation therapy, radiosurgery and brachytherapy, as well as workflow enhancing software systems across the spectrum of cancer care. Stretching the boundaries of science and technology, providing intelligent and resource-efficient solutions that offer confidence to both healthcare providers and patients, Elekta aims to improve, prolong and even save patient lives.
Today, Elekta solutions in oncology and neurosurgery are used in over 6,000 hospitals worldwide. Elekta employs around 3,500 employees globally. The corporate headquarters is located in Stockholm, Sweden, and the company is listed on the Nordic Exchange under the ticker EKTAb. Website: www.elekta.com.