OTTAWA, CANADA, 2 March 2010 – Best Theratronics Ltd [BTL] today announced plans to transform an existing cancer research facility at the Cancer Centre of Southeastern Ontario at Kingston General Hospital into a state-of-the-art cancer treatment centre and reduce the cost of cancer treatment. The new Centre will be an ongoing collaboration which will move both research and clinical applications of the technology forward.
At the heart of the proposed facility will be a Theratron Equinox External Beam Therapy System. Currently used in hundreds of oncology clinics worldwide, the Equinox is the most advanced isotope-based teletherapy system available on the market. It will be augmented with 3D CRT, IMRT and IGRT capability to provide efficient, cost-effective cancer treatment, potentially to 50+ patients per day.
Funding of more than $1 million will take place over a four-year period, with the majority to be incurred this year. A grant will be provided by BEST CURE Foundation, augmented by Best Theratronics. This commitment echoes a number of proposals in discussion with hospitals globally to provide Equinox External Beam Therapy Systems based on revenue-sharing partnerships with no initial or operating capital costs to the hospitals.
"We are excited about this significant project which BEST CURE Foundation and Best Theratronics are committed to support," said Best’s President, Krish Suthanthiran. "The level of Best’s commitment is, we believe, demonstrated with a strong foundation of monetary support totaling more than $1 million, including a $400,000 grant, equipment, software, training and installation." Dr. John Schreiner, Chief, Medical Physics and Professor of Oncology and Physics at Queen’s University, will be on hand at a press briefing to be held today to discuss the project.
About Best Theratronics Ltd
Best Theratronics Ltd. has been manufacturing, marketing, selling and servicing cobalt-based cancer therapy systems for more than 50 years. It began as a division of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited and was sold to MDS Nordion before being sold to Best Medical International in early 2008. The company is located in Kanata, west of Ottawa, Ontario and its 140 employees cover expertise in manufacturing, engineering, design, radiation physics, dosimetry, worldwide logistics, sales, marketing and service. See www.theratronics.ca.
About BEST CURE Foundation
BEST CURE Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2007 and committed to making quality healthcare and education affordable and accessible globally. See www.cure.lu.
About Best Medical International
Best Medical International has served the medical community with the highest quality products and unparalleled customer service for over 32 years. Best Medical International, headquartered in Springfield Virginia, now comprises a family of trusted companies and organizations with a proven track record of innovation, quality and service. Find out more at www.teambest.com.