Kuopio University Hospital First in Finland with Elekta’s New Beam Shaping Innovation for Radiotherapy of Cancer Patients

KUOPIO, Finland, March 6 – In the spring of 2013, Kuopio University Hospital (KUH, Kuopio, Finland) will take a leap forward in radiation therapy capabilities when the center begins treating patients with its two new Elekta Infinity™ treatment systems equipped with the revolutionary Agility™ 160-leaf multileaf collimator (MLC). The two Elekta therapy systems will replace two older generation linear accelerators from Varian Medical Systems.

“Elekta’s Infinity system, with kilovoltage CBCT imaging provides very good images of the tumor and surrounding soft tissues, which will give us greater confidence in the location and dimensions of the tumor target immediately before we deliver the beams,” says Jan Seppälä, Ph.D., Medical Physicist at KUH.

In combination with Agility, the Infinity systems – specifically designed to deliver fast Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) – will enable faster treatments tailored to the profile of the tumor. Agility uses 160 high-speed, 5mm-wide beam-shaping leaves to accurately conform the radiation field to the lesion’s shape, and moves the leaves at twice the speed of other MLCs.

“Agility’s dose conformality and leaf speed opens up possibilities to develop improved treatment plans. Combined with VMAT’s fast treatment arcs, it will enable even faster beam delivery times and less time for the patient on the therapy table,” he adds.

KUH also has purchased Elekta’s Oncentra® VMAT and Monaco® treatment planning systems.

“Beyond the technological sophistication of this new Elekta equipment, we are very excited to work with Elekta treatment machines, which are uncommon in Finland,” Dr. Seppälä notes.

In 2015, KUH will relocate its radiation therapy systems to a new six-bunker radiotherapy department.

Agility is not available for sale or distribution in all regions. Please contact your local Elekta representative or authorized distributor for further details.

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For further information, please contact:

Johan Andersson Melbi, Director, Investor Relations, Elekta AB
Tel: +46 702 100 451, email: johan.anderssonmelbi@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

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 08:00 CET on March 6, 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 3,400 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.