OREANDA-NEWS. 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.

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.