Varian Medical Systems (VAR), a global leader in oncology treatment, recently announced that it has signed an agreement with IMRIS (which provides on-demand imaging during medical procedures) to jointly develop a novel MR-guided radiation therapy system to be used for treating cancer patients. After the completion of the development work, and on receipt of regulatory approval, the two companies plan joint branding of their new MR-guided radiation therapy suite.
Under the terms of the deal, the collaboration will jointly develop a solution that combines IMRIS’ unique magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology with Varian’s new TrueBeam system, thereby facilitating the usage of MRI during radiotherapy treatment for cancer patients.
Varian’s TrueBeam system, which was launched in April 2010 for radiotherapy and radiosurgery, provides both high speed as well as accuracy, along with the ability to deliver cancer treatment up to 50% faster compared with traditional therapy. In addition, it has a dose delivery rate approaching 2x the maximum of earlier Varian systems. MR remains the preferred method of imaging soft tissue.
The two companies believe that the integration of their technologies will enhance the quality of radiation therapy. The purpose of the collaboration is to enable medical practitioners more precisely target cancerous tissues. In this regard, it is noteworthy that several studies have pointed out that improving the accuracy of treatment can help minimize the damage of nearby healthy cells.
Varian and IMRIS envisage that the new treatment will permit a MRI scanner to be introduced, and withdrawn, on demand from the radiation therapy room. The scanner will be used to precisely determine a tumor’s location prior to treatment without having to move the patient from his/her chair, as would be required today.
IMRIS initiated the development of its MR-guided radiation therapy program in 2008 in conjunction with the University Health Network (UHN) in Toronto. It has installed the modern IMRIS 3T MR-simulation suite, in 2009, at UHN’s Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto, known for its cancer research and treatment. Princess Margaret Hospital will support the development work of the two partners by providing them clinical expertise.
Varian is a leading manufacturer of medical devices for treating cancer with radiotherapy, radiosurgery, proton therapy, and brachytherapy. IMRIS is a leading seller of image guided therapy solutions, which incorporate magnetic resonance, fluoroscopy and computed tomography, to deliver on-demand imaging during procedures.
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