Acquisition Includes Radiation Simulation Software for Radiotherapy Applications

Varian Medical Systems, Inc. (Palo Alto, CA, USA) has acquired certain assets of Transpire, Inc. (Gig Harbor, WA, USA) including the Acuros dose calculation software, which has been incorporated into Varian’s BrachyVision and Eclipse treatment planning software systems. The acquisition closed at the end of July 2014.

“Acuros software makes it possible to implement highly precise forms of treatment in heterogeneous tissues such as the lung—something other algorithms do not do as well,” said Jeff Amacker, Varian’s senior director of clinical solutions. “Acuros can accomplish this in a workable timeframe, compared with more cumbersome Monte Carlo approaches that are just not used because they take too long.”

“Varian and Transpire have enjoyed an OEM [original equipment manufacturer] relationship since 2008, when we first incorporated the Acuros algorithm into our systems for planning and delivering high-precision radiotherapy for the treatment of cancer,” said Kolleen Kennedy, president of Varian’s oncology systems business. “This acquisition will enable us to continue leveraging the Acuros solution for use in proton therapy, and for improving our image guidance tools on other Varian treatment systems. We look forward to working directly with Transpire's accomplished team of engineers and scientists, who have now joined the Varian team, to further refine and enhance our treatment planning software systems.”

The acquisition also entails Transpire’s Attila software, which is in use worldwide in a diverse range of industries where radiation effects play an integral role in product performance, safety, and effectiveness. “We plan to integrate Attila software with our products for security and inspection applications,” stated Sunny Sanyal, president of Varian’s imaging components businesses. “It will enable us to provide comprehensive solutions for customers that integrate Varian’s high-energy X-ray technology into systems for cargo screening, industrial inspection and nondestructive testing.”

Varian will continue developing the Acuros and Attila software products with the Transpire team. “We are very pleased that the Transpire team has joined our organization,” said Dow Wilson, Varian CEO. “This is a world-class group of scientists with deep experience at the intersection of nuclear engineering and software development. We believe that they will help us continue fulfilling our mission of providing customers with empowering software solutions.”

Varian Medical Systems is a manufacturer of medical devices and software for treating cancer and other medical conditions with radiotherapy, radiosurgery, and brachytherapy.


Related Links:

Varian Medical Systems
Transpire