Co-Development of Revolutionary New MR-Guided Radiation Therapy System

Varian Medical Systems, Inc and IMRIS, Inc have concluded an agreement to co-develop an innovative new MR-guided radiation therapy system for use in treating a variety of cancers.

Under the terms of the agreement, the two companies will develop a solution that combines IMRIS’s proprietary MR imaging technology with Varian’s recently introduced TrueBeam™ system, to enable the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) during radiotherapy treatments for cancer. Launched in April 2010, Varian’s TrueBeam system for radiotherapy and radiosurgery offers unprecedented speed and accuracy and has the ability to deliver treatments up to 50% faster, with a dose delivery rate of up to double the maximum of earlier, industry-leading Varian systems.

MR is the gold standard for soft tissue imaging. By leveraging IMRIS’s proprietary technology and integrating the exquisite detail of MR imaging with the extensive treatment delivery capabilities of the TrueBeam system, the two companies expect to enhance the effectiveness of radiation therapy.

The solution will be designed to permit a high-field MRI scanner to move in and out of the radiation therapy room on demand, providing MR imaging to very precisely confirm a tumour’s location prior to treatment, and again during the session as needed, all without having to move the patient from the treatment couch or transport the patient to and from another room, as would be required today. Consistent with IMRIS’s systems for neurosurgery, neurovascular and cardiac applications, the radiation therapy systems are expected to be offered as multi-room configurations and include independent MR-simulation capabilities for the MR system to further enhance financial utility for hospitals.

Following successful completion of the development stage of this project, and subject to necessary regulatory approvals, the companies anticipate co-branding the new MR-guided radiation therapy suite and leveraging Varian’s global presence and leadership position in the fields of radiotherapy and radiosurgery to market the new product.