Dutch medical center begins installation of world’s first high-field MRI-guided radiation therapy system

First-generation system for testing at University Medical Center Utrecht is next
step in what may be a quantum leap in tumor visualization during radiotherapy
UTRECHT, the Netherlands, April 5 – Elekta (NSE:EKTAb), Royal Philips (NYSE:PHG,
AEX:PHIA) and University Medical Center (UMC) Utrecht (the Netherlands)
announced today that the initial components of the world’s first high-field
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guided radiation therapy system are being
installed at UMC Utrecht. This marks a significant milestone toward the
development of a clinical system capable of capturing highly detailed MR images
of tumors and surrounding normal tissues as a patient receives radiotherapy.
Development of the high-field MRI-guided linear accelerator (linac) is the
mission of the MR Linac Research Consortium headed by Elekta and supported by
Philips.

The integration of an advanced Philips 1.5 Tesla MRI system with a sophisticated
Elekta radiation therapy system – enabling simultaneous imaging during beam
delivery – could allow doctors to adapt radiation therapy during the procedure,
increasing treatment accuracy, potentially reducing side effects and enabling
increases in the therapeutic dose.

On April 5, the first component – the system’s ring gantry on which linac parts
are mounted – was lowered by crane through a modular roof into one of UMC
Utrecht’s radiotherapy treatment rooms. In the coming months, additional
components will be integrated and the system will undergo a program of non
-clinical testing, which includes the performance evaluation of MRI sequences,
testing of different adaptive delivery methods, establishing quality assurance
techniques and defining workflow.

“Since formation of the consortium in 2012, members have been exploring the
feasibility of high-field MRI-guided radiotherapy. Installation of the first
generation system is truly a major step toward moving this technology into the
clinic to benefit patients,” says Bas Raaymakers, PhD, Associate Professor,
Department of Radiotherapy, UMC Utrecht. “We’re immensely proud of the critical
role that UMC Utrecht has played in collaboration with Philips and Elekta in
this project for over 10 years.”

“As the founding member of the consortium, UMC Utrecht has been instrumental in
turning the concept of MRI guided radiation therapy into a working system, and
has invested a great deal of effort and resources to make it a reality,” adds
Tomas Puusepp, President and CEO, Elekta. “We are excited about the prospect of
taking high-field MRI-guided radiation therapy to the next stage.”

“Highly targeted treatments will be essential in the battle to control cancer,
so together with our partners we are stepping up our efforts to create new
solutions in interventional oncology,” says Gene Saragnese, CEO Imaging Systems
at Philips Healthcare. “The installation of the first generation MR-guided
radiation system at UMC Utrecht is an important milestone in the development of
an innovation that is designed to make a real difference in cancer care.”

In addition to UMC Utrecht, the other consortium members are: The University of
Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, Texas), The Netherlands Cancer
Institute-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital (Amsterdam, the Netherlands),
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (Toronto, Ontario) and The Froedtert & Medical
College of Wisconsin Cancer Center (Milwaukee, Wisconsin).

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For further information, please contact:
Gert van Santen, Group Vice President Corporate Communications, Elekta AB
Tel: +31 653 561 242, e-mail: gert.vansanten@elekta.com
Time zone: CET: Central European Time
Johan Andersson, Director, Investor Relations, Elekta AB
Tel: +46 702 100 451, e-mail: johan.andersson@elekta.com
Time zone: CET: Central European Time
Steve Klink, Philips Group Communications
Tel: +31 610 888 824, e-mail: steve.klink@philips.com
Paul Geurts, Coordinator Media Relations, UMC Utrecht
Tel: +31 887 555 000, e-mail: t.b.p.geurts@umcutrecht.nl
The above information is such that Elekta AB (publ) shall make public in
accordance with the Securities Market Act and/or the Financial Instruments
Trading Act. The information was published at 07:30 CET on April 5, 2014.
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 health care 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 3,500 employees globally. The
corporate headquarters is located in Stockholm, Sweden, and the company is
listed on the Nordic Exchange under the ticker STO:EKTAB. Website:
www.elekta.com.
About Royal Philips
Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a diversified health and well-being
company, focused on improving people’s lives through meaningful innovation in
the areas of Healthcare, Consumer Lifestyle and Lighting. Headquartered in the
Netherlands, Philips posted 2013 sales of EUR 23.3 billion and employs
approximately 115,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100
countries. The company is a leader in cardiac care, acute care and home
healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications,
as well as male shaving and grooming and oral healthcare. News from Philips is
located at www.philips.com/newscenter.
About University Medical Center Utrecht
University Medical Center Utrecht (UMC Utrecht) belongs to the largest public
healthcare institutions in the Netherlands. UMC Utrecht has the ambition to be a
leading international healthcare provider, medical school and research
institute. UMC Utrecht employs 11,000 people that are dedicated to prevent
disease, improve healthcare, develop new treatment methods and refine existing
ones, with patient safety and quality as cornerstones. For more information,
visit www.umcutrecht.nl.