IBA Cooperates with Philips to Create Patient-Centric Proton Therapy Centers

IBA Group (Prague, Czech Republic), a developer of advanced cancer diagnosis and therapy technologies, and Philips Healthcare (Best, The Netherland) announced that they have entered into an agreement to create state-of-the-art patient-centric proton therapy centers.

IBA and Philips presented their plans together at the European Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ESTRO) anniversary congress in London (UK) on May 8-12, 2011, and the Particle Therapy Cooperative Group (PTCOG) conference in Philadelphia (PA, USA) on May 8-14, 2011.

This cooperation is an important milestone in creating meaningful oncology systems for caregivers, patients, and their families who are in a very stressful situation. The complete center design is based on a thorough understanding of all emotional and physical aspects of patient care. From the moment they enter the center up to their final treatment, the patient is surrounded by light, image, and sound, making the treatment experience as calming and transparent as possible, while helping caregivers to work more efficiently.

The IBA-Philips "turnkey" proton center concept is the first of its kind, and is initially being developed for the Middle East market, with subsequent plans to expand its use globally. Named Proteus TK2, the IBA-Philips center design encompasses all elements necessary to build a complete proton therapy center. This includes the building exterior and interior architecture, two IBA proton therapy treatment rooms, Philips Ambient Experience Design solutions, Philips computed tomography (CT), CT SIM (simulation), magnetic resonance (MR) imaging systems, and patient monitoring equipment.

"This joint approach combines the strength of both companies that believe in a true people-focused solution, which makes this concept extremely attractive for those wanting to add proton therapy to their cancer fighting therapies," said Pierre Mottet, chief executive officer of IBA.

Dr. Eric Silfen, chief medical officer, Philips Healthcare added, "We are very proud to work together with IBA Group, a global leader in the proton technology market. Philips is committed to simplifying oncology care for a patient group that is still growing around the world."

Philips is a market leader in cardiac care, acute care, and home healthcare, energy-efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as lifestyle products for personal well-being.

IBA develops and markets technologies, pharmaceuticals, and customized solutions for healthcare with a focus on cancer diagnosis and therapy. Leveraging on its scientific expertise, IBA is also active in the field of industrial sterilization and ionization.

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