Elekta Plans to Introduce MRI-Guided Radiation Therapy System in 2017

January 29, 2015 — Elekta announced its latest research and development initiatives, with special focus on Atlantic, a high field MRI-guided radiation therapy system. The company unveiled plans to introduce this technology in 2017 and deliver the first systems in 2018.

Niklas Savander, president and CEO, commented: "We are pleased with the progress we are making, closely cooperating with our clinical partners in the Atlantic consortium and our MRI technology partner Philips. We are creating a new paradigm within the field of radiation therapy and a superior approach to treating cancer. Consequently, I expect Atlantic will positively impact the treatment patients receive, the cancer centers that deliver it and the market potential for radiation therapy."

The first commercial orders are planned to be taken in 2017 with deliveries in 2018, subject to the applicable regulatory clearances. Elekta estimates there will be 75 orders and deliveries during the ramp-up phase until 2019. This number includes the systems for the members of the consortium.

Savander anticipates that high field MRI-guided radiation therapy will be standard of care within the next 10 years. He also indicated that the price of an MRI-guided radiation therapy system will be about four times the price of Elekta's current high-end treatment machine, Versa HD.

Dee Mathieson, senior vice president, Oncology Business Line Management, outlined the many benefits that Elekta's high field MRI-guided linear accelerator is expected to bring to clinics and cancer patients, such as gentler treatment, fewer side effects with potential for better outcomes and lower costs.

Kevin Brown, global vice president scientific research, described several technical breakthroughs that the Atlantic project has already demonstrated to enable real time targeting.

For more information: www.elekta.com