LOUVAIN-LA-NEUVE, BELGIUM, 7 September 2012 – IBA (Ion Beam Applications S.A.), the global high-tech leader in the next generation of radiation therapy and diagnostics for the treatment of cancer, announces it has been selected by the North Texas Proton Therapy Center for the purchase, installation and maintenance of a proton therapy system to equip its new facility in Dallas, which is planned to open in 2015.
The estimated value of the deal to IBA is approximately $50 million and includes a set of 3 treatment rooms and advanced image guidance technology. A long-term operation and maintenance agreement is also included.
The North Texas Proton Therapy Center is a joint venture of Dallas-based Baylor Health Care System and Texas Oncology, and units of San Francisco-based McKesson, McKesson Specialty Health and the US Oncology Network. Project financing has been secured.
Construction of the North Texas Proton Therapy Center, the 23rd center using IBA proton therapy technology, is set to begin early next year. Once completed, the center is projected to treat more than a thousand patients annually and first patients are expected to be treated with cancer-fighting proton beams in 2015.
Olivier Legrain, Chief Executive Officer of IBA commented, “We are delighted to see the US Oncology Network investing into proton therapy, bringing the most advanced treatment modality in cancer radiotherapy to its network of community-based practice, making the most advanced tools and treatments available to more patients.”
“The proton therapy facility will provide our team of oncologists working across the state another critical tool in the fight against cancer,” said Dr. Steven Paulson, Chairman and President of Texas Oncology. “Bringing advancements like this into our community-based practice is a hallmark of our approach, which is centered around patients and making the most advanced tools and treatments available to them.”
“We have an extraordinary opportunity to bring leading cancer care technology that offers fewer side effects to more patients,” said Marc Owen, President of McKesson Specialty Health that supports The US Oncology Network. “We’re going to do it by building a better facility with top technology and the best physicians and healthcare providers in the Dallas area. Advancing community-based care is our focus. Proton therapy will bring a new level of community-based cancer care to patients.”
President of Baylor University Medical Center, John McWhorter, said “This new proton therapy center will open just two years after the Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center - the first dedicated cancer hospital in North Texas - began treating cancer patients. “It’s one more strategic partnership by Baylor to help ensure we provide cancer patients and their families with the very best our profession offers.”
This innovative facility is being designed by the Dallas office of RTKL Associates, part of the ARCADIS global network.
ABOUT IBA
IBA (Ion Beam Applications S.A.), is the global high-tech leader in next generation radiation therapy and diagnostics of cancer. The Company’s expertise lies in the development of next generation proton therapy technologies and radiopharmaceuticals that provide oncology care providers with premium quality services and equipment, including IBA’s leading fully integrated IntegraLab® radiopharmacy system, and Dosimetry advanced solutions for Quality Assurance of medical equipment and increased patient safety.
Headquartered in Belgium and employing more than 1,200 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 by providing solutions in the fight against cancer.
IBA is listed on the pan-European stock exchange EURONEXT. Further information can be found at: www.iba-worldwide.com
ABOUT MCKESSON SPECIALTY HEALTH
McKesson Specialty Health, a division of McKesson Corporation, empowers the community patient care delivery system to advance the science, technology, and quality of care. Through innovative clinical, research, business and operational solutions, facilitated by integrated technology systems, the company improves the financial health of its customers and helps them provide quality care for patients. Website: www.mckessonspecialtyhealth.com
ABOUT THE US ONCOLOGY NETWORK
The US Oncology Network is one of the nation’s largest networks of community-based oncology physicians dedicated to advancing cancer care in America. Like-minded physicians are united through The Network around a common vision of expanding patient access to high-quality, integrated cancer care in communities throughout the nation. Leveraging healthcare information technology, shared best practices, refined evidence-based medicine guidelines, and quality measurements, physicians affiliated with The US Oncology Network are committed to advancing the quality, safety, and science of cancer care to improve patient outcomes. Website: www.usoncology.com
ABOUT BAYLOR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM
Baylor Health Care System is a not-for-profit, faith-based supporting organization providing services to a network of acute care hospitals and related health care entities that provide patient care, medical education, research and community service. Baylor recorded more than 2.8 million patient encounters, $4 billion in total operating revenue, $5.2 billion in total assets and $502 million in community benefit in fiscal year 2011 (as reported to the Texas Department of State Health Services). Baylor’s network of more than 300 access points includes 30 owned, operated, ventured and affiliated hospitals; joint ventured ambulatory surgical centers; satellite outpatient locations; senior centers and more than 180 Health Texas Provider Network physician clinics. Website: www.baylorhealth.com
ABOUT TEXAS ONCOLOGY
With more than 345 physicians and more than 135 diagnostic and treatment facilities throughout Texas and southeastern Oklahoma, Texas Oncology is a pioneer in community based cancer treatment. Texas Oncology is a member of The US Oncology Network. Every year about 110,000 Texans are diagnosed with cancer, including 15,000 patients with breast cancer, 15,000 patients with prostate cancer and 14,000 patients with lung cancer. Website: www.texasoncology.com