Private UK Hospital Group, Spire Healthcare, to Partner with Elekta to Expand Radiotherapy Capabilities for Cancer Patients

-- First Spire radiation oncology center to house Elekta's Versa HD system

LONDON, Oct. 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- One of the United Kingdom's largest private hospital providers, Spire Healthcare, recently announced an agreement with Elekta to help launch its new radiotherapy service. The partnership's opening project will be Spire's first cancer center in Bristol, for which Elekta will coordinate building construction and provide a comprehensive range of cancer management solutions, including the company's new Versa HD™ radiation therapy system.

Spire Healthcare is a major provider of cancer care in the UK, offering oncology services across 21 of its 38 sites. Although Spire presently refers patients needing radiotherapy to other providers, the country's need for additional radiation oncology capacity drove the hospital group's recent decision.

"Now is the right time for us to develop radiotherapy as a key part of the Spire services portfolio," says Neil McCullough, Spire's Business Development Director. "The National Radiotherapy Action Group [NRAG] reports that there is a significant and growing under-provision of radiotherapy services in the UK. As the population ages and cancer incidence increases, Spire is committed to offering a high quality, patient-focused, end-to-end cancer care pathway that will now include the very latest radiotherapy technology."

The new cancer center at Spire's Aztec West site in Bristol will be equipped with an array of advanced Elekta products, including MOSAIQ® Oncology Information System, and Elekta Planning Workspace, which includes Oncentra® 3D and Monaco® treatment planning systems and Atlas-Based Autosegmentation™ (ABAS).

The centerpiece of the Aztec West facility will be the new Versa HD linear accelerator. Versa HD offers the flexibility to deliver conventional therapies to treat a wide range of small and large tumors throughout the body, while also enabling treatment of complex cancers that require extreme targeting precision. Treatment of challenging cases is enhanced by high-definition beam shaping, in addition to a groundbreaking High Dose Rate delivery mode.

"Spire is delighted to be working with Elekta in creating its first cancer center," McCullough says. "What impressed us most about Elekta was that they immediately recognized what we were trying to create and why. Their commitment to research and development will keep us at the forefront of technology advances and ensure that we can offer patients the very latest in radiotherapy techniques and delivery options.

"Elekta's systems were also a deciding factor," he continues. "The 'open systems' architecture will allow us to incorporate other manufacturers' equipment should that situation ever arise. This openness spoke volumes and gave us the confidence that Elekta is happy to be judged on the merits of their products."

"We are elated that Spire Healthcare has selected Elekta as a partner in enhancing the scope and quality of radiation therapy services for cancer patients in the United Kingdom," says Tomas Puusepp, Elekta President and CEO. "Spire's commitment to the continuous improvement of patient health is inspiring and we hope this is the start of a long and prosperous collaboration."

For more information, visit www.VersaHD.com.

Versa HD is not for sale or distribution in all markets.

For further information, please contact:
Johan Andersson, Director, Investor Relations, Elekta AB
Tel: +46-702-100 451, email: 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, email: michelle.joiner@elekta.com
Time zone: ET: Eastern Time

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.