Press release 2013-03-18
Elekta to sell and distribute C-RAD Catalyst system for free breathing gating
Elekta and C-RAD have signed a sales and distribution agreement in which Elekta will sell and distribute the Catalyst™ system for optical surface tracking for free breathing gating in radiation therapy. Respiratory gated treatments based on free breathing are frequently used when the target volume is close to cardiac tissue or for special treatments in which tumor position depends on the respiratory cycle.
The Catalyst system is based on a new generation hardware and software platform for high performance optical surface scanning and augmented reality through re-projection. Advanced and highly optimized algorithms for non-rigid registration and deformable models enable real-time assessment of patient positioning errors before and during treatment delivery. The system calculates isocenter adjustments and interfaces to major vendors ensure a completely integrated workflow.
In 2009, the Sentinel™ system was made available to Elekta customers worldwide. The new agreement specifies that Catalyst technology will also be made available to the Elekta sales network through the Elekta product catalogue. Both companies will present their solution at the 2013 ESTRO Meeting in April. The complete package also will include Sentinel with functionality for 4DCT. The Sentinel system offering maintains existing functionalities for positioning and motion detection.
“We are pleased to add C-RAD Catalyst to the array of superior solutions that our customers can choose from,” says Tim Prosser, Director, Oncology Business Line Management, Elekta. “As a vendor with an open systems philosophy, customers should be able to select the technology that best suits their clinical needs.”
“We signed an umbrella agreement with Elekta last May,” says Erik Hedlund, CEO at C-RAD AB. “After validation of the Catalyst for free breathing gating, the system will be introduced to the Elekta sales force in a few months. The new agreement is strategically important for C-RAD. We are honored to have been selected by Elekta as a partner for this advanced application.”
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 healthcare 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 3,400 employees globally. The corporate headquarters is located in Stockholm, Sweden, and the company is listed on the Nordic Exchange under the ticker EKTAb. Website: www.elekta.com.
About C-RAD
C-RAD develops new and innovative solutions for the use in advanced radiation therapy. The company group of C-RAD offers products and solutions for patient positioning, tumor localization and radiation treatment systems. End users are radiation therapy clinics worldwide. All product development is conducted in three fully owned subsidiaries; C-RAD Positioning AB, C-RAD Imaging AB and C-RAD Innovation AB. C-RAD Imaging AB is located in Östersund while the other companies are located in Uppsala. Numbers of employees are currently 21 people. The activities in C-RAD AB originate from research and development at the Karolinska Institutet in Solna. Sales of the company’s first product, the C-RAD SentinelTM, started in 2007. Cooperation agreements have been signed with the Swedish company Elekta, the US company Varian and the Belgian company IBA. C-RAD is represented by distributors specialized in radiation therapy on major markets. C-RAD has founded three companies for direct sales, C-RAD Incorporated in the US, C-RAD GmbH in Germany and C-RAD WOFE in China. C-RAD has acquired 29 % of the laser company Cyrpa and with an option to acquire the remaining 71 %. C-RAD AB is since March 2010 listed at Nasdaq Omx First North Premier.
For more information on C-RAD, please visit www.c-rad.com.
For further information:
Erik Hedlund, CEO C-RAD AB, Phone +46-18-666931, E-mail erik.hedlund@c-rad.se