LOUVAIN-LA-NEUVE, Belgium and TOKYO, April 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --
IBA (Ion Beam Applications S.A.) and Toshiba Corporation (Tokyo: 6502) today announce the signing of a global collaboration to expand access to advanced particle therapy worldwide. Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation will become the distributor in Japan for Proteus®ONE, IBA's compact single-room proton therapy solution, and IBA will become the agent for Toshiba's Carbon Therapy Solutions outside Japan.
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IBA and Toshiba will collaborate on activities such as customer education for Proteus®ONE and Toshiba's carbon therapy solutions.
The collaboration will also enable both organizations to mutually leverage their Operation and Maintenance (O&M) services.
Olivier Legrain, Chief Executive Officer of IBA commented: "This is an important step for IBA. 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. Through this new collaboration, IBA will further strengthen its world leading position in proton therapy and will reaffirm its leading position in the delivery of the latest innovative cancer therapies worldwide."
Satoshi Tsunakawa, Chief Executive Officer of Healthcare Company, Toshiba Corporation, said: "Proton and carbon therapies are among the most exciting technological advancements in the treatment of cancer. 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."
About Proton and Carbon Therapy
Proton Therapy is considered an advanced and targeted cancer radiotherapy treatment due to its superior dose distribution and fewer side effects. Protons deposit the majority of their effective energy within a precisely controlled range, directly within the tumor, sparing healthy surrounding tissue. Higher doses can be delivered to the tumor without increasing the risk of side effects and long-term complications, thereby improving patient outcomes and quality of life.
Carbon ions not only have similar physical characteristics as protons, they have also a higher radiobiological effect compared to photon and proton, which could lead to shorter treatment courses and improved patient outcomes.
About IBA
IBA (Ion Beam Applications S.A.) is a global medical technology company focused on bringing integrated and innovative solutions for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The Company is the worldwide technology leader in the field of proton therapy, the most advanced form of radiation therapy available today. IBA's proton therapy solutions are flexible and adaptable, allowing customers to choose from universal full scale proton therapy centers as well as compact, single room systems. In addition, IBA also has a radiation dosimetry business and develops particle accelerators for the medical world and industry.
Headquartered in Belgium and employing about 1100 people worldwide, IBA has installed systems across the world, from Europe and the US and to the emerging markets. IBA is listed on the pan-European stock exchange EURONEXT. (IBA: Reuters IBAB.BR and Bloomberg IBAB.BB) and more information can be found at: http://www.iba-worldwide.com
About Toshiba
Toshiba Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, channels world-class capabilities in advanced electronic and electrical products and systems into five strategic business domains: Energy & Infrastructure, Community Solutions, Healthcare Systems & Services, Electronic Devices & Components, and Lifestyles Products & Services. Guided by the principles of The Basic Commitment of the Toshiba Group, "Committed to People, Committed to the Future," Toshiba promotes global operations towards securing "Growth Through Creativity and Innovation" and is contributing to the achievement of a world in which people everywhere live in a safe, secure and comfortable society.
Founded in Tokyo in 1875, today's Toshiba is at the heart of a global network of over 590 consolidated companies employing over 200,000 people worldwide, with annual sales surpassing 6.5 trillion yen (US$63 billion). To find out more about Toshiba, visit http://www.toshiba.co.jp/index.htm
Toshiba newly formed its Healthcare Company last August to focus its healthcare business as one of three pillars of its overall business. By combining diagnosis imaging technology provided by Toshiba Medical Systems and accelerator and super conducting technology derived from nuclear business, Toshiba is delivering Heavy Ion Therapy system for cancer treatment. Toshiba has been contributing to Japanese National Institute of Radiological Sciences and Kanagawa Cancer Center.
For further information please contact:
IBA
Jean-Marc Bothy
Chief Financial Officer
Tel: +32-10-47-58-90
Thomas Ralet
Vice-President Corporate Communication
+32-10-47-58-90
communication@iba-group.com
For media and investor enquiries:
Consilium Strategic Communications
Amber Bielecka, Matthew Neal, Jessica Hodgson and Ivar Milligan
+44(0)20-3709-5700
IBA@consilium-comms.com
Rx Communications Group (US)
Melody Carey
+ 1-917-322-2571
mcarey@RxIR.com
Toshiba Press Contact:
Yukihito Uchida
Masumi Fukuoka
Tatsuro Oishi
PR & IR Office, Toshiba Corporation
+81-3-3457-2100
media.relations@toshiba.co.jp
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