IBA SA : IBA to Install Three Compact Proton Therapy Centers in the United Kingdom

IBA to Install Three Compact Proton Therapy Centers in the United Kingdom

Louvain-La-Neuve, Belgium, 25 June 2015 - IBA (Ion Beam Applications S.A., EURONEXT), the world's leading provider of proton therapy solutions for the treatment of cancer, today announces it has signed three separate binding term sheets, containing significant and immediate down-payments, with Proton Partners International (PPI), to install three of its Proteus^®ONE compact proton therapy solutions in private clinics in the United Kingdom.

Each term sheet covers delivery of the Proteus^®ONE equipment, including next generation Pencil Beam Scanning (PBS) and Cone Beam CT (CBCT) capabilities, and a ten-year maintenance agreement. The typical end-user price for a Proteus^®ONE system with such a maintenance contract is between EUR 35 and 40 million. These three centers will be the eighth, ninth and tenth installations of IBA's compact single-room proton therapy solution and are expected to treat the first patients in 2017.

The proton therapy center in Newport will treat patients from Wales, the south-west of England and the Midlands, and the center in Newcastle will treat patients from the North of England. The location of the third center will be announced at a later date.

These three projects follow the framework agreement that IBA and Philips signed in September 2014 to advance the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and demonstrate the efficiency of the collaboration between the two organizations.

Olivier Legrain, Chief Executive Officer of IBA, commented: "We are delighted that IBA has been selected by Proton Partners International to build its three proton therapy centers, bringing access to the most advanced radiation therapy technology to cancer patients across the United Kingdom. PPI's choice of IBA not only strengthens our world leading position in proton therapy, but also demonstrates the preference of IBA as the most experienced proton therapy provider in the market and the fastest from signing to treatment."

Mike Moran, Chief Executive Officer of Proton Partners International Limited, added: "We are delighted to announce that we will be working with IBA, the world leader in proton therapy technology, who will equip our centres to the highest specifications. We are excited about the opportunity to deliver the first high energy Proton Beam Therapy Centres in the UK and we look forward to working with a range of stakeholders to help support the research effort in the wider use of proton beam therapy for the benefit of the patients from all over UK."

***ENDS***

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 19 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 Proteus^®ONE
Proteus^®ONE is the compact intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) solution from IBA. It benefits from the latest technologies developed with renowned clinical institutions. Proteus^®ONE is smaller, more affordable, easier to install and to operate. It is ultimately easier to finance, making this advanced radiation therapy modality available to more institutions and patients worldwide. Proteus^®ONE makes Proton Therapy easy.

* Proteus^®ONE is the brand name of a new configuration of the Proteus^®235

About IBA
IBA (Ion Beam Applications S.A.) is a global medical technology company focused on bringing integrated and innovative solutions for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The Company is the worldwide technology leader in the field of proton therapy, the most advanced form of radiation therapy available today. IBA's proton therapy solutions are flexible and adaptable, allowing customers to choose from universal full scale proton therapy centers as well as compact, single room systems.  In addition, IBA also has a radiation dosimetry business and develops particle accelerators for the medical world and industry.

Headquartered in Belgium and employing about 1100 people worldwide, IBA has installed systems across the world, from Europe and the US and to the emerging markets.  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 Proton Partners International Limited
Proton Partners International is a private limited company, registered in Wales. The company was formed following discussions between Professor Karol Sikora, former head of the World Health Organisation's cancer programme, Professor Sir Chris Evans, the leading life sciences entrepreneur, and Neil Woodford, founding partner of Woodford Investment Management. Institutional and private investors have committed to almost £100m equity finance in the company.

Professor Gordon McVie, Senior Consultant at the European Institute of Oncology, has been appointed chairman, Professor Karol Sikora is Chief Medical Advisor and one of the Founders, Mike Moran has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer.