Elekta invests in 'strong synergies'

Elekta is paying €10 million in cash for 3D Line's radiation-therapy-related assets, plus up to €8 million based on performance over the next three years. Elekta expects to consolidate 3D Line into its accounts from May of this year.

Founded in 1991, 3D Line Medical Systems stemmed from a collaboration between a neurosurgeon pioneering the use of computer-assisted techniques in the operating theatre and three computer science graduates. The company now has 35 employees and consultants, most of whom are based in Milan, Italy. In 2006, its net sales totalled €6 million, with a moderate profit.

3D Line's current commercial technologies include ERGO++, a specialized treatment-planning system for stereotactic radiation therapy and dynamic IMRT, and the DYNART series of micro-sized multileaf collimators. Other products include DYNATRAC, an infrared-based patient positioning and tracking system, and the DynART/FIX range of fixation and localization devices.

In addition to the new products, Elekta also gains a specialized R&D group that's highly qualified in stereotactic radiosurgery and IMRT. "The 3D Line development team, with strong experience in highly sophisticated dynamic treatments, will be able to further enhance Elekta's product portfolio both through the current products and by the planned joint development," noted the 3D Line founders. "We see a strong potential in becoming part of the Elekta Group, the pioneers of radiosurgery."

Building on the proven clinical benefits of image-guided radiation therapy, Elekta sees an increasing market need for complete stereotactic add-on solutions. This demand comes both from users wanting to start a stereotactic programme on a limited basis, as well as those looking for a fully-multifunctional linear accelerator system that could also be used for the most advanced treatments.

3D Line's technology is already integrated in Axesse, Elekta's most advanced robotic image-guided stereotactic treatment management system. Elekta says that the technology will "form a platform for further integration and development" to meet the demand for enhanced precision and accuracy in radiation therapy.

Tomas Puusepp, Elekta's president and CEO, described 3D Line's technology for dynamic beam shaping, arc treatment and stereotactic treatment planning as "an excellent addition". He added: "With the increased global sales reach within Elekta, we will be able to exploit the increasing demand for these products."

Roberto Pellegrini, CEO of 3D Line Medical Systems, commented: "The strong synergies between 3D Line and the Elekta Group, both in radiation therapy and radiosurgery, warrant a successful future of the whole team."

• Elekta's deal follows hot on the heels of US equipment maker Varian Medical Systems' acquisition of ACCEL Instruments, a German developer of proton-therapy systems and scientific research instruments (see Speculate to accumulate). At the time, Varian's president and CEO Tim Guertin predicted the eventual development of "a several hundred million dollar proton-therapy business".

Since then, clinicians at the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland have begun treatments using a Varian/ACCEL superconducting cyclotron. The new 250 MeV cyclotron is designed to deliver high efficiency, low energy consumption, high reliability and modern features such as spot scanning, enabling effective proton dose distribution in three dimensions, and beam-intensity modulation.

Last week also saw Morse LLC, a privately-held company that operates radiosurgery centres in Miami and Palm Beach, announce its intent to develop a proton therapy centre in South Florida using new technology from Varian.