June 22, 2015 - IBA (Ion Beam Applications S.A.) and Royal Philips announced the signing of an exclusive agreement to enhance access to proton therapy in India. The alliance combines IBA's strengths in proton therapy and Philips' expertise in clinical informatics and innovative imaging techniques for therapy planning and guidance.
Leveraging proton therapy and high-quality imaging offers the potential to increase confidence in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, reduce short- and long-term side-effects and potentially enhance the quality of life of the patient before, during and after treatment. Advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) imaging technologies will help physicians better target proton beam delivery to destroy cancer cells whilst avoiding healthy tissue.
This agreement builds upon the collaboration between IBA and Philips India, which started in 2013, to build the Apollo Proton Therapy Center, the first proton therapy center in India.
Proton therapy is an important addition to cancer treatment in India given that the incidence of cancer is 70-90 per 100,000 people, with children comprising nearly 5 percent of these patients. Proton therapy is considered to be one of the most advanced treatments available in the fight against cancer. With the precision that proton therapy offers, it is possible to target the tumor more effectively while limiting the side effects of the treatment. Protons deposit the majority of their energy within a precisely controlled zone, directly in the tumor while limiting the impact on healthy tissues surrounding the tumor.
The exclusive Philips-IBA agreement for India follows the framework agreement that Philips and IBA signed in September 2014. The framework agreement comprises research and development, marketing and sales of imaging and therapy solutions in oncology. The collaboration also enables both organizations to mutually leverage technologies and solutions: IBA benefits from Philips diagnostic imaging products offered to oncology care centers, while Philips will leverage IBA proton therapy solutions within its offering for customers in select markets around the world. As part of the framework agreement, Philips and IBA have already signed multiple country-specific collaboration agreements, each optimized for the local market needs.
For more information: www.iba-worldwide.com