Uppsala University Hospital and Elekta to further cancer research in Sweden
STOCKHOLM, July 10, 2014 – Uppsala University Hospital (UUH) and Elekta today announced that they have signed an agreement to jointly work at the forefront of imaging in cancer care research.
With this research agreement, Uppsala University Hospital and Elekta seek to contribute to the field of personalized care by using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET).
In the future MRI potentially enables doctors to treat cancer with radiation while seeing in real time where the tumor is and correct for movement. This is limited with imaging used today.
Elekta, Philips and some of the most renowned universities in the world have started to do research into integrating MRI with linear accelerators. This research is still at its early stages, but is attracting interest from oncologists all over the world.
With this joint research agreement Uppsala intends to become the first hospital in Sweden to receive a clinical system, once it has been approved by the regulatory authorities (CE-mark). To prepare for this, UUH has already started the building of new facilities, with bunkers that are capable of receiving such treatment units of the future.
Kristina Nilsson, MD, PhD at Uppsala University Hospital commented: “We envision that by using integrated MRI, in planning and implementation of radiation therapy, future therapy will become more precise and better adjusted to both the tumor and to nearby tissues, sensitive to radiation.”
Elekta CEO Niklas Savander said: “We are convinced that combining radiation therapy with MRI shall play a prominent role in the future of cancer care. Elekta is proud that Uppsala University Hospital will become a research partner in Sweden, helping us develop the clinical approach to introducing such new techniques for the benefit of patients.”
For further information, please contact:
Gert van Santen, Group Vice President Corporate Communications, Elekta AB
Tel: +31 653 561 242, e-mail: gert.vansanten@elekta.com
Time zone: CET: Central European Time
Johan Andersson, Director, Investor Relations, Elekta AB
Tel: +46 702 100 451, e-mail: johan.andersson@elekta.com
Time zone: CET: Central European 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 July 10, 2014.
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 health care 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 STO:EKTAB. Website: www.elekta.com.