IBA Signs Collaboration Agreement to Install
Proton Therapy System in Guangzhou, China
Contract Value of Approximately EUR 30 Million
Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, December 11th, 2014 - IBA (Ion Beam Applications SA), the world's leading provider of proton therapy solutions for the treatment of cancer, is pleased to announce that it has signed a collaboration agreement with Guangdong Hengju Medical Technologies Co. Limited to jointly install the first proton therapy system in South China. This agreement, with a significant up-front payment, is worth approximately EUR 30 million to IBA.
IBA will provide the new center with equipment from its Proteus®PLUS system, which will also be equipped with IBA's next generation Pencil Beam Scanning capability. The facility is set to open in the summer of 2017.
Olivier Legrain, Chief Executive Officer, IBA, commented: "This new center will be the 31st center globally and the first in South China to benefit from IBA's leading proton therapy technology and expertise. We are committed to collaborating with Hengju and providing high quality cancer treatment to more patients in China, as we further strengthen our presence across Asia."
Mr Xiao Xue, Chairman, Guangdong Hengjian Investment Holding Co Ltd, commented: "Guangdong Hengju Medical Technologies Co. Limited is the first company in China focusing on the development and expansion of proton therapy in China. The current proton therapy facility site enjoys full support from various Chinese governments, and is listed as a National Key Project. This first collaboration with IBA, the global leader in proton therapy, is very significant and is an important milestone for future long term partnership between both companies."
Mr Wang Jian, Deputy General Manager Guangdong Hengjian Investment Holding Co Ltd, Executive Director Guangdong Hengju Medical Technologies Co Ltd, added:
"The signing of this contract enables this center to be equipped with IBA's unique technology, accelerating the development of the project. This new collaboration will also increase the rate of future developments and provide the chance to train our team and increase the level of medical expertise in Guangdong Province."
Notes to Editors
About Proton Therapy
Proton Therapy is considered the most advanced and targeted cancer radiotherapy treatment due to its superior dose distribution and fewer side effects. Protons deposit the majority of their effective energy within a precisely controlled range, directly within the tumor, sparing healthy surrounding tissue. Higher doses can be delivered to the tumor without increasing the risk of side effects and long-term complications, thereby improving patient outcomes and quality of life. Today, more than half of all proton therapy clinical facilities worldwide are equipped with IBA systems. This includes 18 proton therapy centers currently in operation and 13 additional centers under development.
While proton therapy today represents less than 1% of radiotherapy treatments, studies estimate that more than 17% of patients treated by radiotherapy would benefit from being treated by this technique.
About IBA
IBA (Ion Beam Applications S.A.) is a cancer diagnostics and treatment equipment company, and the worldwide technology leader in the field of proton therapy, the most advanced form of radiotherapy available today.
The Company's primary expertise lies in the development of next generation proton therapy technologies that provide oncology care providers with premium quality services and equipment. IBA's proton therapy solutions are scalable and adaptable, offering universal full scale proton therapy centers as well as next generation compact, single room systems. IBA also focuses on the development and supply of dosimetry solutions for Quality Assurance of medical equipment and increased patient safety as well as particle accelerators for medical and industrial applications.
Headquartered in Belgium and employing more than 1,000 people worldwide, IBA currently has installed systems across Europe and the US and is expanding into emerging markets. The Company is focused on building sustainable global growth for investors, providing solutions in the fight against cancer.
IBA is listed on the pan-European stock exchange EURONEXT. (IBA: Reuters IBAB.BR and Bloomberg IBAB.BB) and more information can be found at: www.iba-worldwide.com
About Guangdong Heng Ju Medical Technologies Co Limited
Guangdong Hengjian Investment Holding Co. Ltd is the financing and investment platform of the Guangdong provincial government. Guangdong Hengju Medical Technologies Co Limited is the first company in China focusing on the development and expansion of proton therapy in China under the spirit of 'Government Supported, Corporatized Management and Market Oriented'.
For further information please contact:
IBA
Jean-Marc Bothy
Chief Financial Officer
+32 10 475 890
Investorrelations@iba-group.com
Thomas Ralet
Vice-President Corporate Communication
+32 10 475 890
thomas.ralet@iba-group.com
For media and investor enquiries:
Consilium Strategic Communications
Amber Bielecka, Mary-Jane Elliott, Matthew Neal, Jessica Hodgson, Ivar Milligan
+44 (0)20 3709 5700
IBA@consilium-comms.com
